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    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Earl Grey Cake Doughnuts

    Published: Oct 12, 2022 by Michelle · 9 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    These Earl Grey Doughnuts are light and cakey, with flecks of tea scattered throughout. They're dipped with a fragrant bergamot chocolate glaze and rose petals.

    Earl grey doughnuts on a wire rack.

    What is Earl Grey tea?

    Earl grey tea is a black tea blended with bergamot oil.

    The bergamot oil gives the tea a bright citrus note which gives it its distinctive flavor and aroma.

    It's a delicious tea that pairs well in scones, ice cream, waffles, chocolates, and so much more.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This recipe is inspired by a local doughnut shop that is well-known for their Earl Grey cake doughnut.

    It's really easy to make, and comes together in one bowl.

    Earl Grey flavour permeates throughout the doughnuts.

    Using cake flour ensures the cake doughnuts are light and cakey.

    By baking the doughnuts, they're much less oily than their fried yeasted counterpart.

    Special equipment you'll need

    • doughnut pan: I used a silicone donut pan, but you can use a non-stick metal one -- just be sure to grease it prior to adding the batter

    Ingredients you'll need

    For the Earl Grey donuts:

    • whole milk: you can also use a non-dairy alternative
    • Earl Grey tea: use a tea that you enjoying drinking; my personal favourite is Stash's Double Bergamot Earl Grey
    • large egg
    • avocado oil: or any neutral oil; you can also use melted unsalted butter
    • granulated sugar: for a little sweetness
    • sea salt: or kosher salt; to balance out the sweetness
    • vanilla extract: use a pure vanilla extract for the best flavour; you can also use a culinary bergamot oil in its place if you like
    • baking powder: acts as a leavener and adds a little lift to the doughnuts
    • cake flour: contains a lower amount of protein compared to all-purpose flour, which keeps the doughnuts light and not chewy; you can use all-purpose flour but remove 1 tablespoon and replace with 1 tablespoon cornstarch; do not use bread flour

    For the chocolate bergamot glaze:

    • dark chocolate: chopped; you can use chocolate chips
    • bergamot oil: comes from the bergamot citrus fruit and is the main flavouring ingredient in Earl Grey tea; choose a culinary, not essential oil; optional
    • rose petals: for decoration; optional

    Decorated Earl grey doughnuts on a wire rack with one bitten one a white plate.

    How to make it

    Preheat oven to 350F.

    Pour milk into a microwave-safe jar or glass and heat until steaming hot (but not boiling).

    Place Earl Grey tea bags (you can use tea bags or loose leaf) into the milk and let it steep for a few minutes.

    Remove the tea bags/tea leaves (save the tea to add into the batter if you like).

    Note: as the tea may have absorbed some of the milk, you may need to add a little more milk to make 100ml total.

    In a large bowl, whisk together egg, Earl Grey milk mixture, oil, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and baking powder. (If adding ground Earl Grey tea, add it to the mixture).

    Add in the cake flour and whisk gently to combine until no lumps remain.

    Pour the batter into each doughnut cavity, about ¾ way full.

    Give the pan a few taps to release any trapped air bubbles.

    Bake at 350F for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

    Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

    Decorate:

    Add chocolate to a microwave-safe shallow bowl.

    Heat in 20-second intervals and stir until completely melted.

    Stir in bergamot oil (if using).

    Dip the surface of the doughnut into the melted chocolate and decorate with rose petals.

    Repeat with the remainder.

    Earl grey doughnuts on a wire rack.

    How to serve & store

    Enjoy the Earl Grey Cake Doughnuts with a glass of jasmine milk tea, or London Fog tea latte.

    Glazed:

    Store the Earl Grey Doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.

    They are best enjoyed once they are glazed.

    Unglazed:

    You can store unglazed cake doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    Freezer:

    Store and freeze unglazed baked cake doughnuts in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

    Expert tips & substitutions

    More Earl Grey flavour?

    For more pronounced Earl Grey tea flavour, I highly recommend adding in the ground tea.

    If the tea from the tea bags are finely ground, you can add them in as is.

    If you're using loose leaf tea, you may want to grind the tea leaves into a powder first before adding into the batter.

    Also, you can increase the amount of Earl Grey tea to your preference.

    How to ensure cake-like doughnuts?

    Use cake flour, which has a lower protein content than regular all-purpose flour.

    Don't use bread flour, which has a higher protein content and builds up gluten more readily.

    Do not overmix the batter.

    Use just enough baking powder, to help the doughnuts rise evenly.

    Can I double the recipe?

    Yes, to make 12 doughnuts, you can double the recipe.

    Can I use a different glaze?

    Sure, you can change the glaze up.

    For a classic glaze, mix powdered sugar with a little milk to your desired consistency and dip the doughnuts in.

    Don't like Earl Grey tea?

    Swap it for another tea that you like!

    Close up of Earl grey doughnuts on a wire rack.

    More Earl Grey recipes you may like

    If you love the flavor of Earl Grey tea, be sure to check out these recipes:

    Earl Grey Waffles with Mixed Berries

    Raspberry White Chocolate Earl Grey Scones

    Earl Grey Bergamot Loaf

    Strawberry Earl Grey Jam (Small Batch)

    Fluffy Earl Grey Pancakes

    Other doughnut recipes you may like

    Strawberry Matcha Doughnuts

    Lychee Rose Doughnuts

    Banana Miso White Chocolate Doughnuts

    Baked Matcha Yuzu Olive Oil Doughnuts

    Sakura Cherry Blossom Matcha Doughnuts

    Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!

    Close up of interior of Earl grey doughnut on white plate.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    Earl Grey Cake Doughnuts

    These Earl Grey Doughnuts are light and cakey, with flecks of tea scattered throughout. They're dipped with a fragrant bergamot chocolate glaze and rose petals.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 223kcal
    Author: Michelle

    For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

    Ingredients

    Doughnuts:

    • 120 ml whole milk warmed
    • 2 tablespoon Earl Grey tea (2 tea bags)
    • 1 large egg
    • 30 ml avocado oil or neutral vegetable oil
    • 30 g granulated sugar
    • pinch sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
    • 115 g cake flour

    Chocolate-bergamot glaze:

    • 70 g dark chocolate chopped
    • ½ teaspoon culinary bergamot oil optional
    • rose petals for decoration
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    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C.
    • Pour milk into a microwave-safe jar or glass and heat until steaming hot (but not boiling).
    • Place Earl Grey tea bags (you can use tea bags or loose leaf) into the milk and let it steep for a few minutes.
    • Remove the tea bags/tea leaves (save the tea to add into the batter if you like).
    • Note: as the tea may have absorbed some of the milk, you may need to add a little more milk to make 100ml total.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together egg, Earl Grey milk mixture, oil, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and baking powder. (If adding ground Earl Grey tea, add it to the mixture).
    • Add in the cake flour and whisk gently to combine until no lumps remain.
    • Pour the batter into each doughnut cavity, about ¾ way full.
    • Give the pan a few taps to release any trapped air bubbles.
    • Bake at 350°F/177°C for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
    • Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

    Decorate:

    • Add chocolate to a microwave-safe shallow bowl.
    • Heat in 20-second intervals and stir until completely melted.
    • Stir in bergamot oil (if using).
    • Dip the surface of the doughnut into the melted chocolate and decorate with rose petals.
    • Repeat with the remainder.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 2mg

    The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

    Did you try this recipe?Mention @siftandsimmer or tag #siftandsimmer!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      October 17, 2022 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      I'm a huge fan of Earl Grey, so these beautiful donuts are calling my name! Also, I need to get my hands on that culinary bergamot oil!

      Reply
    2. Raymund | angsarap.net

      October 19, 2022 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      This looks reallty pretty, very unique flavour

      Reply
    3. Jen

      October 21, 2022 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      It is so hard to stop eating these delicious and gorgeous treat!! We loved it! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        October 21, 2022 at 3:18 pm

        Thanks for trying out the recipe, Jen! Glad to hear that you loved it!

    4. Aimee Mars

      November 21, 2022 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      These are so beautiful! I've never used bergamot oil in baking before but I can see how it adds the perfect flavor to these doughnuts!

      Reply
    5. Nancy

      December 08, 2022 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      I love Earl Grey anything. This donut recipe was yummy

      Reply
    6. Kim

      February 21, 2023 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      Earl Grey is my favorite! I bet I would love these. And they are absolutely gorgeous, too!

      Reply
    7. Gina Abernathy

      March 15, 2023 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      I made these doughnuts and this glaze is amazing!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        March 16, 2023 at 8:17 am

        Thanks for trying out the recipe, Gina!

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