Indulge in the Ultimate Earl Grey Loaf Cake with Zesty Lemon Honey Glaze
Imagine the comforting aroma of a perfectly brewed cup of Earl Grey tea, infused with a bright twist of lemon and the sweet embrace of honey. This is precisely the experience captured in every slice of our delightful Earl Grey Loaf Cake. More than just a dessert, it’s a sensory journey that combines the sophisticated notes of bergamot-infused tea with a refreshingly sweet glaze. This Earl Grey Loaf Cake boasts a light, semi-spongey crumb that is beautifully moist and tender, melting in your mouth with every bite. The captivating Earl Grey flavor is achieved through carefully infused milk, a key step that ensures the tea’s essence permeates throughout the entire loaf. To crown this culinary masterpiece, the cake is generously coated with a vibrant Lemon Honey Glaze, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that will leave you craving another slice. Perfect for afternoon tea, a special brunch, or simply a comforting treat, this loaf cake promises a uniquely satisfying experience.
What is Earl Grey Tea? The Quintessential Flavored Black Tea
Earl Grey tea stands out as one of the most recognizable and beloved flavored black teas in the world. Its distinctive aroma and taste come from the addition of oil extracted from the rind of a bergamot orange. The bergamot orange, a unique citrus fruit, is thought to be a hybrid of lemon and bitter orange, which bestows upon it an exceptionally aromatic and zesty quality. This exquisite citrus oil transforms a simple black tea into a complex beverage, imparting subtle floral undertones, a bright citrus zest, and an overall wonderfully fragrant profile that is both invigorating and soothing.
Beyond its traditional brewing, Earl Grey tea has inspired many culinary creations. One popular and incredibly delightful experience is the ‘London Fog Latte,’ a creamy, sweet concoction where Earl Grey tea is blended with steamed milk and vanilla. This drink is celebrated for its luxurious texture and sophisticated balance of floral, citrusy, and sweet notes. Given the inherent elegance and comforting appeal of a London Fog, it’s only natural to wonder: what could be more heavenly than transforming this beloved tea-time beverage into an equally luxurious cake? This Earl Grey Loaf Cake embodies that very idea, bringing the richness and aromatic charm of a London Fog into a delectable baked form, perfect for any occasion.
Mastering the Earl Grey Loaf Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting this exquisite Earl Grey Loaf Cake begins with the crucial step of infusing the cream with the tea. This process ensures that the deep, fragrant notes of Earl Grey are thoroughly integrated into the cake. Start by gently heating the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, signaling that it’s hot enough to extract maximum flavor from the tea. Immediately remove it from the heat to prevent scorching. Then, carefully place 3-4 Earl Grey tea bags into the hot cream. While this might seem like a generous amount of tea for a small quantity of milk, remember that the flavor needs to be highly concentrated to properly permeate and flavor the entire loaf cake. To prevent a skin from forming on the milk and to encourage a deep infusion, cover the surface of the milk with a piece of plastic wrap, pressing it gently against the surface. Transfer the saucepan to the fridge and allow it to cool completely and infuse for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally, overnight for the most robust tea flavor. Once the milk is thoroughly cooled and infused, remove the tea bags. Be sure to gently press out any remaining milk from the tea bags before discarding them, ensuring no precious flavor is left behind.
Now, it’s time to assemble the delicious batter! In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the large eggs, aromatic vanilla bean paste, and granulated sugar. Beat this mixture on high speed for approximately 3-4 minutes. You’re looking for a transformation: the mixture should become significantly lighter in color, notably fluffy, and roughly triple in its original volume. This aeration is crucial for creating the light and tender crumb of the loaf cake. While the mixer is working its magic, in a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of table salt. Once the wet ingredients are light and voluminous, gradually add the dry mixture to the stand mixer. Mix on a low speed until just combined and smooth, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake. Finally, pour in your carefully tea-infused milk and beat one last time, just until the batter is smooth and homogeneous. This gentle mixing ensures the tea flavor is evenly distributed without compromising the cake’s delicate texture. The batter is now ready to be poured into your meticulously prepared loaf pan and baked to golden perfection!
Crafting the Perfect Lemon Honey Glaze for Your Loaf Cake
Creating the vibrant and flavorful glaze for your Earl Grey Loaf Cake is a wonderfully straightforward process, designed to complement the tea-infused cake perfectly. The interplay of sweet honey and bright lemon provides a zesty counterpoint to the subtle bitterness of the Earl Grey. Begin by preparing your honey: place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for about 30 seconds. This brief warming step is essential, as it transforms the honey into a more liquid, easily workable consistency, making it much easier to incorporate into the glaze without lumps. Meanwhile, in a separate mixing bowl, add the confectioners’ sugar. This finely milled sugar is the base for your opaque, smooth glaze. Once the honey is warm, pour it into the bowl with the confectioners’ sugar. Follow with the freshly squeezed lemon juice, which adds a crucial tartness, along with a touch of hot water to adjust consistency and a splash of vanilla extract for an extra layer of aroma. Whisk all these ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and free of any lumps. The result should be a glossy, flowing glaze that is ready to be generously applied to your cooled Earl Grey Loaf Cake. This simple yet effective glaze elevates the entire dessert, adding a delightful tang and sweetness that truly completes the experience.
Achieving the Ideal Glaze Consistency for Your Earl Grey Loaf Cake
The appearance and texture of your glaze can significantly impact the final presentation and enjoyment of your Earl Grey Loaf Cake. If you’re aiming for a glaze similar to the one pictured – opaque, beautifully thick, and capable of holding its shape as it drapes over the cake – then you will need to utilize a higher quantity of confectioners’ sugar. Achieving this desired consistency means the glaze will be very thick, just barely thin enough to ribbon off your whisk when lifted. This level of thickness creates a substantial, visually appealing coating that adds a delightful texture contrast to the soft cake. It’s worth noting that a thicker glaze will also naturally be quite sweet. However, if you prefer a thinner, more translucent glaze that provides a lighter touch of sweetness and perhaps a more subtle visual effect, you can simply reduce the amount of confectioners’ sugar. Start with the minimum recommended amount and gradually add more, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your preferred consistency. Remember, the perfect glaze is ultimately a matter of personal preference, balancing sweetness and texture to complement your individual taste. Allow your loaf cake to cool completely before applying the glaze to ensure it sets properly and doesn’t simply melt or slide off.
Vanilla Substitutions: Enhancing Your Earl Grey Loaf Cake Flavor
This Earl Grey Loaf Cake recipe specifically calls for vanilla bean paste, and there’s a good reason for this choice: I personally adore seeing those beautiful, delicate black specks of vanilla distributed throughout the cake. Not only do they add a visual appeal, signaling a high-quality ingredient, but vanilla bean paste also delivers a more intense, complex, and nuanced vanilla flavor compared to extract. It truly elevates the aromatic profile of the loaf, harmonizing beautifully with the bergamot notes of the Earl Grey.
However, if vanilla bean paste isn’t readily available or if you simply prefer an alternative, rest assured that you can easily substitute it without compromising the deliciousness of your cake. You have a couple of excellent options:
* **Vanilla Extract:** This is the most common and accessible substitute. The conversion ratio is a straightforward 1:1, meaning if the recipe calls for 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste, you would use 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract. While you won’t get the visual specks, the extract will still provide that essential vanilla aroma and flavor.
* **Whole Vanilla Beans:** For an even more authentic and potent vanilla flavor, you can use a fresh vanilla bean. To substitute, remember that approximately 3 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste is equivalent to one whole vanilla bean. Since this recipe requires 1½ teaspoons of paste, you would use half of a vanilla bean. Simply split the bean lengthwise and scrape out the fragrant seeds to incorporate into your batter. This option will also give you those lovely black specks, just like the paste.
Whichever vanilla form you choose, it will contribute a wonderful depth to your Earl Grey Loaf Cake, ensuring a truly satisfying bake.
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Earl Grey Loaf Cake with Lemon Honey Glaze
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Ingredients
Earl Grey Loaf Cake
- 2/3 cup Half & Half Cream or Whole Milk
- 3-4 Earl Grey Tea Bags,, depending on desired intensity
- 2 cups (240g) All Purpose Flour, measured correctly †
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Table Salt
- 1 cups White Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1½ tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
Lemon Honey Glaze
- 2-3 cups Confectioners Sugar,, depending on desired thickness of final glaze
- 3 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Hot Water
- 1 ½ tsp Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
Equipment
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Stand mixer
Instructions
Earl Grey Loaf Cake
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Add cream/milk to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the milk to a simmer then immediately remove from heat. Place the tea bags into the milk and gently stir. Place a piece of plastic over the surface of the milk and place into the fridge to cool and steep for about 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
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Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C), and prepare a 9×5″ loaf pan with oil and parchment paper, ensuring easy removal of the baked cake. In a medium to large sized mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt, then whisk together thoroughly to combine all dry ingredients.
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In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add eggs, sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Beat on high for around 5 minutes; the mixture should look thick, fluffy, and have visibly tripled in volume. This aeration is key for a light crumb. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated, then slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil. After all the oil has been added, beat for an additional minute until well combined.
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On low speed, gradually add the dry mixture to the stand mixer, mixing only until just combined. Next, pour in the tea-infused milk and mix only until the batter becomes smooth and homogeneous. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, then bake in the preheated oven for around 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the loaf cake to cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to glaze.
Lemon Honey Glaze
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In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the confectioners sugar.
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Place honey into a microwave safe bowl, and place into the microwave for 30 seconds to make it more liquid.
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Pour the warmed honey, hot water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vanilla extract into the bowl with the confectioners sugar, then whisk thoroughly until fully combined and smooth.
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Generously pour or pipe the prepared glaze onto the completely cooled loaf cake to achieve a beautiful, even coating.
Notes
Explore More Delicious Loaf Cake Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and charm of loaf cakes and quick breads, you’re in for a treat! These delightful bakes are perfect for any time of day, offering a comforting slice of homemade goodness. From rich chocolate to fruity delights, there’s a loaf cake for every craving. Dive into some of our other cherished recipes below:
CHOCOLATE CHIP LOAF WITH DULCE DE LECHE. Prepare for a truly decadent experience with this incredibly moist loaf cake. Each slice is generously speckled with delightful mini chocolate chips and boasts luscious swirls of rich dulce de leche, creating a symphony of sweet flavors and textures that is utterly irresistible.
BROWNED BUTTER BOURBON BANANA BREAD. Elevate your banana bread game with this remarkably moist and intensely flavorful version. The secret lies in browned butter, which adds a nutty depth, and a subtle infusion of bourbon that masterfully enhances the cake’s natural caramel and vanilla notes. It’s a sophisticated take on a classic comfort food.
BLACK FOREST LOAF CAKE. Reimagine the iconic Black Forest cake in a convenient loaf form! This spectacular treat features a dense, rich, and wonderfully chocolatey pound cake that is elegantly swirled with vibrant cherry jam. To complete this masterpiece, it’s crowned with a cloud of fresh, homemade whipped cream and adorned with juicy, ripe fresh cherries, making every bite a celebration of flavors.
