Earl Grey Tea Cakes
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
“I don’t much care where –”
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”
Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite Disney movies. It is a classic, beautiful story about he loss of childhood innocence and how life is an eternal puzzle. Both of these themes are universal, which makes this story as valuable today as it was when I watched it as a child.
The movie (and, of course, the book) is so full of meaning and symbols that every time you watch it, you learn something new. I could probably create various different types of recipes inspired just by this one movie, but today the scene that inspired me is the ‘Mad Tea Party’ scene.
I like to think that Alice and the Mad Hatter’s crew would appreciate these little Earl Grey Tea Cakes. I mean, how couldn’t they? They are British and we all know the British love their tea. So nothing more appropriate than tea cakes, right? Unless the Mad Hatter hates it and throws it at my face or something. As we could see in the video above, manners are not his strength!
I’d never had a tea cake until recently, when I tried one at a brunch while in Florida. It was seriously love at first bite. Cliche, I know, but nevertheless true!
I mean, how can a cake TASTE fragrant? I have no clue, but they do. They are also incredibly moist and not too sweet, my favorite kind!
And, as a bonus, this cake will fill your home with the most amazing aroma while it’s baking in the oven. The day I made this I was actually in a pretty bad mood. The bad mood was immediately gone as this contagious uplifting perfume took over my apartment and made me feel happy again.
As you can see, I decided not to make any icing to go with my tea cakes. I wanted the cakes to be the kind of baked goods that you can enjoy while sipping some tea, or coffee. So they couldn’t be overly sweet.
You can, however, serve them with some butter and different kinds of jam and marmalade on the side, so your guests can customize their cakes according to their tastes.
I hope you guys enjoy these tea cakes like I did. And “a very very unbirthday to you!”. Unless today is your actual birthday. In that case, Happy Birthday! ;-)
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Alice's Earl Grey Tea Cakes
Ingredients
- 2 Earl Grey tea bags
- 1/4 cup boiling water
- 1/3 cup milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 stick (4oz) unsalted butter (8 Tbsp) plus more to grease muffin tin
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups self raising flour
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/8 tsp Kosher salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
30 Comments on “Earl Grey Tea Cakes”
I love this! Tuesday it was my husband’s birthday. I woke him up by singing happy birthday. Yesterday, I woke him up singing “A very merry unbirthday” so yeah….
Plus I adore Earl Grey. The best tea!
Aww, that’s a cute story! Happy birthday to your husband! :)
I’ve enver had Earl Gray cupcakes or cake, but will definitely try these! They look delicious! Happy Easter! Pinned!
Thanks, mira! You definitely have to try them! They taste SO GOOD!
These are adorable and I love the theme! I am a HUGE Disney fan and I love Alice. I’m now off to check out your other Disney Gourmet Series desserts!
Thanks, Olivia! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m a Disneymaniac myself! ;-)
Earl Grey is SO MUCH better than chocolate. Love love love. Easter just got happier.
Agreed! :) Unless there’s a way of mixing Earl Grey and chocolate… (Hmm, I don’t know how I feel about that…)
Oh these look so cute for afternoon tea!
Thanks, Katy! And yes, they are perfect for afternoon tea! :)
fun to take a little stroll down memory lane with Alice in Wonderland and these tea cakes! They’re beautiful, and what a lovely touch from the marmalade.
Thank you so much, Amanda!
These are so pretty, the pictures the recipe, all of it!
Thanks, Fabiola! :D
I love tea cakes, these are adorable! I love the fact that you didn’t ice them, they need to be eaten as such! Pinned!
Thanks, dear! They are perfect to be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee! :D
I’ve never made tea cakes, but I will now. These sounds delicious!
Thank you, Renee! Let me know what you think after you make them! :)
I adore little tea cakes and like that you opted not to add any icing…they’re more special that way. Pinning and on the list of “must-makes” for sure! ;)
Thanks, Cristina! I almost made some icing with orange juice and marmalade but decided against it as I wanted them to be tea cakes to be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee! :)
I can’t believe that Easter is already here, either! Where has the time gone? These tea cakes are gorgeous, Olivia! I love that you were inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Looks so delicious!
I know, time is flying! It freaks me out a little! lol :)
I’m all for no-icing cakes! I bet these earl grey cakes will be perfect for Easter Tea party. pinning to try later.
Thanks, Savita! :D
This post just makes the little girl in me smile! Thank you.
I’m so glad, Mirlandra! I’m always try to make the little girl in me smile too, hence my obsession with Disney themed recipes! ;-)
I adore these!!
Thank you, Julie! :D :D As I said before: Means a lot coming from you! I’m a big fan of your work!
Thanks so much for this! We’re former Cast Members with a granddaughter named Alice (yes- named after Alice in Wonderland!). We have tea parties all the time 9she’s 6) and she will only drink Earl Grey. These will be perfect!
trying it today my first time baking this cake