Earl Grey Cake

I am not a hot tea drinker.  I did, however, marry into a family that really, really loves it.  Marshall has told me several times that real tea snobs like Earl Grey tea.  So when I stumbled upon this recipe for Earl Grey cake, I knew exactly who I wanted to make it for.

It just so happens that my wonderful mother-in-law celebrated her birthday last Saturday, and season three of Downton Abbey began on Sunday.  Talk about reasons to celebrate!  It seemed really appropriate to enjoy our tea-flavored cake while catching up with our British friends.

Earl Grey Cake
{click to print}

Ingredients:
2 Earl Grey tea bags
1/4 C boiling water
1/3 C milk
7 T butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
2/3 C white sugar
1 1/4 C cake flour

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8-inch cast iron skillet, and coat it with sugar (You can "flour" a pan with sugar for just about any recipe.  It prevents sticking and tastes good!).

Cut the tea bags open and empty the leaves into a glass measuring cup.  Add the boiling water and let sit for three minutes.  Add the milk.

Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.  Reduce the mixer speed to medium, and add eggs, one at a time.

Reduce the speed to low.  Add one third of the tea mixture and then one third of the flour.  Continue alternating the tea mixture and flour until the batter is evenly mixed.

Pour batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Wait until the cake is completely cooled before frosting.  I used a basic cream cheese frosting, and it paired well with the dense cake.

(adapted from Raspberri Cupcakes)