Earl Grey Cake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

Step 1

Preheat oven to Prepare a six inch cake pan, and line with parchment paper. In mixing bowl, slowly together flour and cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2

In a cup steep the heated milk with the earl grey tea bags to infuse the flavors. When steeped, discard the tea bags.  To the steeped milk, add in the vanilla extract.

Step 3

In the bowl of the stand mixer, beat to combine the sugar and butter. Beat until light and fluffy, about one minute. If the butter is cool, this will take longer. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well.

Step 4

Add in the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, mixing at a low speed.  Scrape the bowl and mix until everything is just combined.

Step 5

Let the batter rest for about 15 minutes prior to putting into the cake pans.

Step 6

Fill the cake pan 2/3 of the way. Level with an offset spatula. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Check at 25 minutes.

Step 7

Let the cake rest in the pan for 5 minutes, before removing from pan and letting cool on wire rack.

Step 8

Prepare second layer and bake remaining cake.

Step 9

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy, and slapping the sides of the mixer.

Step 10

Add one cup of sugar at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl if necessary. When all the sugar is added in, be sure to add in the vanilla and salt.

Step 11

Beat the frosting on medium high for about five minutes until light and fluffy. The frosting will increase in volume and become airy.

Step 12

Use on cake when the cake cools completely.

Step 13

Outfit a piping back with a round piping tip (#12).

Step 14

Level cake layers. Set one cake layer on cake stand.

Step 15

Pipe a ring around the top edge of cake layer. Fill ring with lemon curd. Set other leveled cake layer on top.

Step 16

Top cake with remaining Frosting and smooth frosting over the rest of the cake. Pipe rings around the top and bottom edge of the cake. Pipe a ring around the top of the cake, and fill with any remaining lemon curd.

Step 17

Slice cake and eat.