Earl Grey Chiffon Cake Recipe

If you’re a tea lover like me, you’re going to be obsessed with this Earl Grey chiffon cake, where the elegance of your favorite afternoon brew meets the fluffiest, most delicate cake you’ll ever bake.

I adore making recipes that take traditional flavors and give them an extraordinary twist. My Earl Grey Chiffon Cake marries the mix of delicious flavors with the kind of save-the-day (for your taste buds) lightness that makes it a truly special treat.

I am in love with chiffon cake. It is the perfect balance of tender crumb, cake flour lightness, and the kind of whisper-quiet flavor that makes this cake sing with the subtle flavors of Earl Grey and the brightness of lemon.

Earl Grey Chiffon Cake Recipe Ingredients

• Cake Flour: Low protein content ensures a delicate crumb texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the cake’s lightness.
• Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent, making the cake rise effectively.
• Vegetable Oil: Provides moisture and ensures a tender crumb.
• Earl Grey Tea: Infuses the cake with aromatic bergamot flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Enhances freshness with a citrusy brightness.
• Egg Whites: Essential for airy structure thanks to whipped volume.

Earl Grey Chiffon Cake Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 3/4 cups cake flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 7 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup brewed Earl Grey tea, cooled
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 7 large egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for egg whites)

How to Make this Earl Grey Chiffon Cake Recipe

1. Heat your oven to 325 °F (165 °C). Have a 10-inch tube pan, not greased, ready.

2. In a big bowl, combine the cake flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together these dry ingredients well.

3. Center a well in the dry ingredients. Add to it the vegetable oil, egg yolks, brewed Earl Grey tea, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until smooth.

4. In another sizeable mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric mixer at medium speed until they are foamy.

5. Slowly incorporate the rest of the 1/4 cup of sugar into the egg whites, beating at high speed until stiff peaks form.

6. Gently mix one-third of the beaten egg whites into the cake batter, so that it becomes a little lighter and easier to fold in the rest of the egg whites. Then, mix in the remaining egg whites. Try not to deflate their volume too much while you work.

7. Evenly pour the batter into the tube pan, which should not be greased. With a spatula, make the top smooth.

8. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the cake bounces back when lightly prodded and a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean.

9. Immediately turn the tube pan upside down onto a wire rack or a bottle to cool completely. Doing so prevents the cake from falling.

10. After allowing the cake to cool, take a knife and run it around the edges of the pan to release the cake. Move the cake onto a serving plate and enjoy.

Earl Grey Chiffon Cake Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 10-inch tube pan
3. Large mixing bowl (2)
4. Whisk
5. Electric mixer
6. Spatula
7. Skewer
8. Wire rack or bottle (for cooling)
9. Knife
10. Serving plate

FAQ

• Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?You can use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour, but you have to adjust it. For each cup of cake flour in your recipe, use 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Still, cake flour produces a lighter texture in your baking.
• What can I use if I don’t have cream of tartar?An equivalent amount of white vinegar or lemon juice can substitute for cream of tartar in stabilizing egg whites.
• How do I know when the cake is done?Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. Check the top of the cake. Press it lightly with your fingertip. If it springs back, the cake is done.
• Why is it important to cool the cake upside down?Inverting the cake while it cools helps ensure that it doesn’t collapse and stay as high and light as the structure of an airy cake should be.
• Can I use Earl Grey tea bags instead of brewed tea?Certainly! You have the option to steep 2-3 tea bags in hot water to create a concentrated brew for intensified flavor.
• What is the best way to store the Earl Grey Chiffon Cake?Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or keep it refrigerated for even longer freshness.

Earl Grey Chiffon Cake Recipe Substitutions and Variations

You can use all-purpose flour mixed with cornstarch instead of cake flour. For each cup of cake flour, remove 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and replace it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
For sugar granules, you can switch to an equal amount of superfine sugar, which will yield a smoother-textured result.
You can substitute melted coconut oil in place of vegetable oil, using the same amount, and enjoy the not-so-subtle coconut flavor.
Swap out the brewed Earl Grey tea for any other strong black tea, such as English Breakfast, to get a different flavor profile.
The zest of an orange can be used as a substitute for lemon zest, delivering a similar burst of flavor with a different profile.

Pro Tips

1. Room Temperature Ingredients Make sure the egg yolks, egg whites, and brewed Earl Grey tea are at room temperature. This helps the cake ingredients combine more smoothly and allows the egg whites to whip to their fullest volume.

2. Gentle Folding Technique When folding the beaten egg whites into the batter, use a large spatula and a gentle hand. Cut through the center of the mixture, fold over, and rotate the bowl slightly. This technique helps preserve the airiness needed for a light and fluffy cake.

3. Proper Pan Usage Do not grease the tube pan as the batter needs to cling to the sides to rise properly. This is a crucial step for achieving the right texture in chiffon cakes.

4. Cool Upside Down Cooling the cake upside down is essential for maintaining its height and structure. Make sure to invert it immediately after removing it from the oven to prevent it from collapsing.

5. Flavor Enhancement Consider adding a touch more lemon zest or a drop of lemon extract for a brighter citrusy flavor that complements the Earl Grey tea. Adjust these to taste depending on your preference for lemon intensity.