@rubybhogal’s EARL GREY SPONGE WITH ORANGE SYRUP AND WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM Serves 12 Ingredients for the earl grey milk- 60ml Full Fat Milk 1 tea bag Earl Grey Leaves Zest of 1 Large Orange Ingredients for the orange syrup- 150ml Water 180g Caster Sugar Zest & Juice of 2 Large Oranges 1tsp Earl Grey Leaves Ingredients for the sponge- 265g Unsalted Butter (I personally use Stork in a tub), room temp 300g Golden Caster Sugar 1.5tsp Vanilla Bean Paste 4 Large Eggs (approx. weight 265g), room temp 200ml Buttermilk 365g Self Raising Flour, sifted Ingredients for the white chocolate cream- 125g White Chocolate, melted 150g Mascarpone Cream 300g Double Cream To decorate- Fresh/dried edible flowers Method for the earl grey milk- Make the earl grey milk by pouring the milk into a saucepan. Add the tea leaves and orange zest and heat over a medium heat until nearly boiling. Turn down the heat and allow to gently simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Method for the orange syrup- Add all the ingredients into a saucepan. Mix well and place over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Turn up the heat and reduce the liquid to a syrup consistency. Remove from heat to cool. Method for the sponge- Preheat the oven to 155C fan. Line an 8 inch by 12 inch baking tray. Place the softened butter and sugar to a stand mixer bowl. Use the paddle attachment to mix on a medium to high speed until light and fluffy – this will take approx. 5 minutes. Add in the vanilla bean paste and mix well. Add the eggs to the mixture, one by one, mixing well for approx. 2 minutes between each addition. Add in the buttermilk and mix well. Add 1/3 of the sifted flour to the bowl and mix well. Remove the bowl from the mixer and add half of the earl grey milk, fold in using a spatula. Add 1/2 of the remaining flour and fold in gently but well. Repeat with the remaining milk and flour before pouring the cake batter into the lined tin. Level out using a palette knife and place into the oven for 38 to 40 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.