Earl Grey Cake

• Earl Grey Tea is black tea flavoured with oil of bergamot.
• Legend has it that the secret recipe was given to Earl Grey by the Chinese.
• However he never visited China, though he might have received it as a diplomatic present.
• Who was Earl Grey?
• Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764 – 1845) was a Member of Parliament for Northumberland.
• He was British Prime Minister from 1830-1834.
• Two important Acts of Parliament were passed during his time as Prime Minister:
• 1832 Reform Act
• 1833 Slavery Abolition Act.
• The earliest mention of Earl Grey Tea appears to be in the 1850s, several years after his death.
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• This cake is called a Tea Bread in England and is a cake made using tea.
• Using Earl Grey Tea makes most recipes even tastier.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of loose leaf Earl Grey Tea
• 250 ml boiling water
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• 300g sultanas
• 1 tablespoon honey
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• 80g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 280g plain flour
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
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• Icing sugar to dust

Method

• Grease and line a 23 cm circular cake tin or use a cake liner.
• Pour the boiling water over the tea leaves and leave for 3 minutes.
• Put the honey and sultanas into a bowl
• Strain the tea leaves and pour the tea over the sultanas and honey.
• Stir and leave for 3 hours.
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• Pre-heat the oven to GM4 – 180°C
• Strain the fruit but also keep the liquor.
• Whisk sugar and eggs till pale, thick and creamy.
• Mix the flour and baking powder together.
• Stir in the drained fruit, zest and flour.
• Add the rest of the tea liquor and mix well.
• Spoon the mixture into the baking tin.
• Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
• Leave to cool for 5 minutes in the tin before turning it out.
• Leave to cool on a baking rack.
• Dust with icing sugar to serve.