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Apple & Earl Grey Teacake

August 25, 2020 by Salma Leave a Comment

Apple & Earl Grey Teacake | The Polka Dotter

Apples are infused with the intoxicating scent of earl grey, vanilla and orange in this delightful recipe that is perfect for chilly winter evenings. Earl grey is the hero of this cake, so using the best quality earl grey tea leaves you can find will produce the most fragrant and flavourful cake. If you can’t source high quality tea or a large reusable teabag or muslin bag to place them in, you can substitute with 10-12 regular teabags for the cake recipe, and 2 teabags for the icing. And although optional, I implore you to add the lime juice in the icing, as it balances the sweetness perfectly and enhances the lovely bergamot flavour.

This recipe was created for Australian supplier of all things fresh and seasonal, Harris Farm Markets.

Apple & Earl Grey Teacake | The Polka Dotter
Apple & Earl Grey Teacake | The Polka Dotter
Apple & Earl Grey Teacake | The Polka Dotter
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Apple & Earl Grey Teacake

Apple & Earl Grey Teacake | The Polka Dotter
Print Recipe

Apples are infused with the intoxicating scent of earl grey, vanilla and orange in this delightful recipe that is perfect for chilly winter evenings. 

  • Author: Salma

Ingredients

Scale

Apple & Earl Grey Teacake

  • 400–450g (2 large or 3 small) granny smith apples
  • 200g unsalted butter
  • 10g good quality earl grey tea leaves
  • 100g brown sugar
  • ½ vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or 1 tsp vanilla paste)
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 240g plain flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt 
  • Dried cornflowers and rose petals (optional)

Earl Grey Icing

  • 240g icing sugar, sifted
  • 125 ml (½ cup) boiling water
  • 2g (2 tbsp) earl grey tea leaves
  • Squeeze of lime juice (optional)
  • Pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

Apple & Earl Grey Teacake

  1. Preheat oven to 165°C (145°C fan-forced) and grease 20cm (8”) bundt or round cake tin.
  2. Wash, peel, core and dice apples into 2cm cube pieces.
  3. Place earl grey tea leaves in large reusable teabag or muslin bag.
  4. Melt butter and brown sugar gently on low heat in wide bottomed deep saucepan, then place teabag at base of saucepan. Add diced apple and coat with butter, then zest orange over apples and swirl vanilla seeds or paste through.
  5. Allow to cook on low heat, stirring intermittently, until apples are soft but not completely cooked through.
  6. Remove from heat and allow apples to steep in tea-infused butter for approximately 1 hour. Squeeze teabag to extract maximum flavour and discard tea leaves.
  7. Beat eggs and caster sugar in free-standing mixer until thick and pale (approximately 3-4 minutes).
  8. Fold in infused buttery apple mixture until well combined, then sifted flour, baking powder and salt.
  9. Pour cake batter into prepared cake tin and bake for 40 mins, or until lightly golden and a skewer comes out clean.
  10. Allow to cool for 15 minutes in cake tin, then turn out onto wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Earl Grey Icing

  1. Cover tea leaves with boiling water and allow to steep for at least 20 minutes.
  2. Add tea to icing sugar in medium bowl, one teaspoon at a time, until mixture starts to come together as a thick, sticky icing.
  3. Squeeze lime juice into icing, if using, until icing is of a thick pouring consistency. If not using lime juice, add further tea to the same consistency, then pinch of salt.
  4. If icing is too thick, add a little more lime juice or tea. If icing is too thin, add a little more icing sugar.
  5. Use icing immediately, as it sets quite quickly.

To Serve

  1. Place completely cooled cake on serving plate and drizzle with earl grey icing , then sprinkle with dried cornflowers and rose petals.

Enjoy!

Notes

Makes one 20cm (8”) bundt cake and serves 8-10 people

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thepolkadotter on Instagram and hashtag it #polkadotbakes

Apple & Earl Grey Teacake | The Polka Dotter

You may also like:
French Earl Grey Bundt Cake
Earl Grey + Salted Caramel Brownies
Chocolate Earl Grey Tart + Sea Salt (GF)

Filed Under: Cakes Tagged With: Apple, Earl Grey, Orange, Vanilla

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Welcome!

Salma Sabdia | Food Photography

Hi, I’m Salma, and I love creating beautiful images and sweet treats. If you’re looking for a little baking inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.

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Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and rememb Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
~ Max Ehrmann

Love this quiet scene at Pappa Sven. It was actually a test shot of the lighting, my first shot of the day. The lovely Libby had handed me a bud vase filled with a casual spray of flowers picked from one of Pappa Sven’s flower pots, and I had set out a few unfrosted coconut cupcakes on a her lovely cake stand, getting them ready to glam up with roasted strawberry icing.

I never usually care too much for my test shots, they are what they are, and I often prefer my last shots of a session, when the cakes are cut, the crumbs are scattered and the drizzles have dripped in their imperfectly perfect ways. And I’ve had a sneaky chance to indulge in whatever dessert I have prepared, all in the name of good photography and recipe testing.

But it’s true what they say, there’s a first time for everything, and this photo may actually be my favourite of the whole shoot, a genuine moment of calm in such a cosy space.

And if I had it my way - I’d share the full un-cropped version with you, that included the beautiful detail of the brick wall across the top of the window, but as Instagram would have it, we are obliged to a 4:5 ratio, so alas today this crop will suffice. 

Also I am absolutely elated and humbled that the tickets to this event are selling so quickly. Thank you to those of you who have already purchased a ticket, it truly means a lot to have you share this event with us 💕

And if you missed the event details - head to my last post or click the link in my profile 😊

#thinkpink #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #pinkcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling #newcastleevents
Event Announcement! 💕 Join us for an intimate Event Announcement! 💕

Join us for an intimate and heartwarming Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea, hosted by Salma Sabdia (@thepolkadotter) in the cosy surrounds of Pappa Sven’s Apartment (@pappasvens).

We’re raising funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (@nbcfaus), a cause that’s particularly close to our hearts, and we would love for you to share this special event with us.

Immerse yourself in our much loved ‘Pappa Sven’s Apartment’ and savour a selection of delectable pink-themed cakes, cookies and more, all specially crafted for this occasion. 

Event details:
Saturday 14th October at 2pm
Pappa Sven Apartment in Cooks Hill, NSW, Australia

Click the link in profile for more details and to book your ticket through the @pappasvens website.

We can’t wait to see you there!

#thinkpink #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #pinkcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling #newcastleevents
Good spring morning 💕 aren’t these blooms abs Good spring morning 💕 aren’t these blooms absolutely stunning? 

Instagram usually has a strong dislike for my floral photography. I suspect they are too much of a departure from cakes and cookies, and it’s considered they may offend my dessert-loving audience 😂

What do you think? Do you like the occasional flower or two to start your day?

#springvibes #springflorals #ranunculus #ranunculusflower #flowerphotoshoot #bridgetbodenham #handmadeceramics #australianphotographer
SAVE THE DATE! OCTOBER 14 💕 We have a VERY sp SAVE THE DATE!

OCTOBER 14 💕

We have a VERY special event coming soon to one of Newcastle’s favourite spaces.

If a little sweet indulgence in a stylish Nordic setting is your idea of a good time, mark the afternoon of Saturday October 14th in your calendars, because you’ll be sharing it with us 😊 and best of all, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause 💕

Tickets go on sale this week, and with a very intimate gathering planned, they will be limited. Keep an eye out on our socials do you don’t miss out 😊

#strawberrycupcakes #coconutcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling
If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to get If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to get you through this summer weekend weather (at the start of spring!) this divine layered ice cream of strawberry, macadamias and mango will do just the trick 💕

Created last summer for @ausmacadamias | Recipe link in profile

#strawberryicecream #mangoicecream #macadamiaicecream #icecreamdessert #summerdessert #weekenddessert #foodphotographyandstyling #australianmacadamias #queenslandstrawberries #aussiemangoes
SAVE THE DATE! Hey Newcastle! We have been plann SAVE THE DATE! 

Hey Newcastle! We have been planning a VERY special event for you 💕

If a little sweet indulgence in a stylish Nordic setting is your idea of a good time, mark the afternoon of Saturday October 14th in your calendars, because you’ll be sharing it with us 😊 and best of all, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause 💕

Stay tuned and keep an eye out on our socials, where we’ll be sharing all the details early next week!

#strawberrycupcakes #pappasven #pinkribbon #newcastleevents
Blood orange season has arrived, gently floating i Blood orange season has arrived, gently floating in with the soft spring breezes. It’s always one of my favourite times of the year.

Last year’s signature blood orange cake was this delicately striped Blood Orange + Earl Grey Bundt Cake, a crowd favourite that you can find on the blog.

(Along with the other twelve blood orange recipes. Yes, I just checked and would you believe there are no less than specifically THIRTEEN blood orange recipes. And I still think there’s room for number fourteen 😂). 

What’s your favourite flavour to pair with blood oranges? And are there any blood orange recipes you’d like to see this year?

#bloodorange #bloodorangecake #earlgreycake #bundtcake #teacake #springbaking #weekendbaking #foodphotographyandstyling #harrisfarm #redbellycitrus
The days are saying Spring has arrived. The sunshi The days are saying Spring has arrived. The sunshine is glorious and warms you all the way to the tips of your toes and deep inside your heart and mind.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And the beautiful shades of magnolia pink and wattle yellow are already starting to retreat, giving way to tiny green shoots. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But the nights seem to remind us that Winter will linger a little longer, and to enjoy the indulgence of cosy beverages paired with cosy knits while we still can 💕
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What’s the weather like in your little corner of the world?

#changeofseasons #cosynights #cosyvibes #bridgetbodenham #marimekko #unikko #teaculture
The magnolias are in full bloom again. It’s alw The magnolias are in full bloom again.

It’s always such a glorious sight to witness. Last year I shared the special story behind our magnolia tree, and I can’t help but share it again after I’ve spent the better part of the last week admiring her brilliant beauty.

The first time she flowered a few years ago, we were completely in awe. We had moved into our home in the middle of a scorching summer drought, and always wondered about this sickly tree that commanded prime position in the front yard.

So imagine our surprise when nine months after living in our home, this bare thin tired tree gave rise to the most stunning, enormous magenta magnolias. 

Every year that has followed we eagerly await the first week of August to indulge in her beauty. Her fuzzy winter coats are shed and give way to the most brilliant shade of deep pink splashed against the fresh greenery of the garden.

Such a special way to welcome in the warmer weather 💕

#magnolias #magnoliaflowers #springblooms #springbaking #flowerphotoshoot
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