Rich, fragrant and impossibly soft, this is what happens when my favourite cup of tea meets a classic butter cake. This fragrant Earl Grey Butter Cake is perfect for afternoon tea, and honestly, for breakfasts too. I absolutely like serving mine with a punchy lemon glaze too as it complements the richness of this Earl Grey Butter Cake nicely.

Here’s why I am confident you will love this!

  1. It’s a flavour that feels familiar, yet elevated. The comforting butter cake we are all familiar with meets an aromatic twist from the Earl Grey infusion. It’s nostalgic but refined, surprising people’s palettes in the most pleasant way!
  2. It’s a versatile bake. You can enjoy it with a cup of tea, Earl Grey if you’re a fanatic (!) Alternatively, you can serve it with a glaze such as lemon glaze for a refreshing zing. At times, I like to serve mine with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream!
  3. It’s beautifully simple to make. No complex techniques or fancy ingredients, just thoughtful and easy steps that bring out the most of every componenet including the butter and earl grey!

Similar to all the butter cake recipes I’ve shared, such as this Tea Time Classic Butter Cake , they tend to taste better overnight after letting the flavours deepen. Naturally, this makes this Earl Grey Butter Cake perfect for baking ahead of gatherings or gifting!

My serving suggestion? Serve each slice slightly warmed, paired with a cup of earl grey or coffee. For something extra, serve with lemon glaze and top with berries and lavender buds.

Without further ado, the recipe!

Earl Grey Butter Cake Recipe
by Javier Tan October-25-2025

This Earl Grey Butter Cake is one of those bakes that remind you why homemade is worth it — it’s simple, fragrant, and quietly luxurious.

Ingredients (Earl Grey Butter Cake)

  • 1 Cup or 230g of Butter, Softened at room temp
  • 2/3 Cup or 130g of Sugar
  • 3 Large eggs, arppox 60g each, weighed inclusive of shell
  • 1/3 Cup or 80ml of Milk
  • 4 Earl Grey Tea Bags
  • 1 Tsp or 5ml of Vanilla Essence
  • 1 and 1/4 Cup or 160g of All-Purpose / Plain Flour
  • 1 Tsp or 4g of Baking Powder

Ingredients (Lemon Glaze)

  • 1 and 1/4 Cup or 120g of Powdered / Icing Sugar, sifted
  • 2 Tbsps or 30ml of Lemon Juice

Instructions

  1. Firstly, steep 2 earl grey tea bags in milk for approx 10 mins at low heat.
  2. In a large bowl, cream softened butter with sugar.
  3. Then whisk in 3 eggs, 1 at a time until well incorporated and of a single, fluffy texture.
  4. Whisk in infused milk and 1 tsp vanilla.
  5. Next, sift in the flour and baking powder. Cut open the contents of 2 earl grey tea bags and pour directly into the batter.
  6. Whisk together everything until well-combined, then transfer to a parchment paper lined loaf tray, I am using 13 in x 5 in.
  7. Bake in 180C pre-heated oven for 45 – 48 mins until nicely golden brown or a when a toothpick is inserted, only a couple of crumbs is observed.
  8. Slice into the cake after it’s cooled, and serve with lemon glaze if desired.
  9. Serve and enjoy!

Details

  • Prep time: 30 mins
  • Cook time: 1 hour
  • Total time: 1 hour 30 mins
  • Yield: 1 Amazing Earl Grey Butter Cake

Notes:

  1. If you would like to be updated for more recipes which I strive to create to perfection for sharing and for free, do check out my Instagram, Facebook Page, or YouTube 🙂 Thank you so much for all of your support! Feel free to tag me or link back here!
  2. Serve fresh at room temperature (on the day itself and up to 4 days) or in a fridge (up to a week). If refrigerated, do remove it 20 – 30 mins prior to serving.
  3. Please do not copy and paste the recipe without my permission, but feel free to link back here!

Enjoy!
– Bakeomaniac, Javier Tan