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Earl Grey Cake with Honey Buttercream and Blackberry Caramel Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 66 reviews
  • Author: Mariam
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes plus chilling time
  • Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This elegant Earl Grey Cake features delicate flavors of Earl Grey tea combined with a moist, tender crumb. Topped with a luscious honey Swiss meringue buttercream and a vibrant blackberry caramel, this cake is finished with fresh blackberries, figs, and optional candied oranges for a stunning presentation perfect for special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 16 oz (490ml) whole milk
  • 6 tea bags Earl Grey tea or 4 tablespoons looseleaf Earl Grey tea
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 oz (57g) canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 14 oz (397g) cake flour
  • 14 oz (397g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves
  • Zest of one large orange
  • 8 oz (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature

Blackberry Caramel

  • 1 cup (170g) fresh blackberries
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water

Honey Swiss Meringue Buttercream

  • 9–10 egg whites (about 300 grams)
  • 1 ¼ cups (250g) honey
  • 1 ¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 3 ½ cups (793g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Garnish

  • Fresh blackberries and figs
  • Candied oranges (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the bottoms and sides of your cake pans with melted butter and line with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Steep Earl Grey Tea: Heat the milk in a medium saucepan until it just begins to simmer with bubbles forming around the edges. Remove from heat, add the Earl Grey tea bags, and steep for 30 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing out as much milk as possible.
  3. Measure and Mix Wet Ingredients: Measure 12 oz (355 ml) of the tea-infused milk (top off with regular milk if necessary). Whisk in eggs, canola oil, and vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, combine cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, finely ground Earl Grey tea, and orange zest. Mix on low speed for 1 minute to blend.
  5. Cut in Butter: With the mixer on low, add softened butter pieces gradually until mixture resembles cornmeal and can be squeezed to hold shape.
  6. Add Initial Wet Ingredients: Slowly pour about 4 oz (1/2 cup) of the milk/egg mixture to moisten the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed for 2 full minutes until the batter is light and fluffy. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  7. Incorporate Remaining Wet Ingredients: Add the rest of the milk/egg mixture in three parts, mixing on low speed and scraping down the bowl after each addition. Stir the batter gently with a spatula to fully combine.
  8. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 35-45 minutes, checking at 30-35 minutes with a toothpick for doneness. The cake should be springy and the toothpick should come out clean.
  9. Cool the Cakes: Firmly tap the pans on the counter to release steam and gently press down any domed tops. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then run a palette knife around edges and turn out onto cooling racks. Wrap and chill for a few hours to firm up.
  10. Make Blackberry Caramel: Puree fresh blackberries in a food processor and strain through a fine mesh sieve. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water without stirring and cook over medium heat until caramel turns a rich amber color. Remove from heat and whisk in the blackberry purée. If caramel seizes, gently reheat while whisking until smooth. Cool caramel for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a jar to cool completely.
  11. Prepare Honey Swiss Meringue Buttercream: Combine egg whites, honey, and sugar in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Whisk constantly until temperature reaches 160°F. Strain the mixture into a stand mixer bowl and whisk at medium speed until glossy, stiff peaks form and the bowl is cool to the touch.
  12. Whip the Buttercream: Switch to paddle attachment and mix on low speed, gradually adding softened butter cubes a few at a time. The mixture may curdle but continue mixing until smooth and creamy.
  13. Flavor the Buttercream: Add salt and vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated and the buttercream is satiny smooth.
  14. Assemble and Garnish: Layer cake with honey buttercream, drizzle or spread blackberry caramel as desired. Decorate the cake with fresh blackberries, figs, and optional candied oranges to finish.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs and butter for best mixing results and texture.
  • Ensure the meringue mixture is cool enough before adding butter to prevent melting.
  • Monitor caramel closely as sugar can burn quickly; remove from heat immediately when amber color is achieved.
  • If the buttercream curdles, continue mixing patiently as it will smooth out with time.
  • Wrapping and chilling the cake layers before frosting helps achieve cleaner, neater assembling.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Earl Grey cake, honey buttercream, blackberry caramel, tea cake, elegant dessert, baked cake, tea-flavored cake

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Find it online: https://aromaofgrandma.com/earl-grey-cake-with-honey-buttercream-and-blackberry-caramel-recipe/