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London Fog Rolls Recipe

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4.3 from 7 reviews

London Fog Rolls are a fragrant, elegant twist on classic cinnamon rolls, infused with Earl Grey tea and topped with a delicate lavender cream cheese frosting. This recipe features a soft, buttery dough infused with aromatic tea, a sweet and spiced filling, and a luscious floral frosting that brings a unique and sophisticated flavor to a beloved pastry.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110 ℉ (43 ℃)
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp granulated white sugar (to bloom the yeast)
  • 3 tbsp (12 g) loose leaf Earl Grey tea
  • 4 3/4 cups (593 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp (25 g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, very softened

Filling

  • 3 tbsp (12 g) loose leaf Earl Grey tea
  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, very softened
  • 1/2 cup (110 g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
  • 2 tbsp (43 g) honey
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Additional

  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream (for pouring in between the rolls)

Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 tbsp (1 g) culinary lavender
  • 6 tbsp (84 g) unsalted butter, very softened
  • 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, cold
  • 3/4 cup (97 g) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp vanilla bean paste
  • Purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bloom the Yeast: Combine active dry yeast, 1 tsp sugar, and warm milk in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy on top, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Grind the Earl Grey Tea: Using a small food processor or spice grinder, pulse 3 tbsp of loose leaf Earl Grey tea until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to remove any large bits.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl with a stand mixer using a whisk attachment, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and the ground Earl Grey tea.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the whisked eggs, vanilla bean paste, and softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix together until combined.
  5. Add Yeast Mixture and Knead Dough: Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until blended. Switch to a dough hook and knead on medium speed for 7-10 minutes until the dough pulls away from the bowl edges, forms a smooth ball, and springs back when pressed. If sticky, add 1 tbsp flour at a time until dough reaches the desired consistency.
  6. First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and set in a warm place (such as outside or in a cold oven with the light on) for 1 to 1 ½ hours until it doubles in size.
  7. Prepare Filling: If needed, grind another 3 tbsp of Earl Grey tea finely and sift. In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla bean paste, honey, salt, and ground Earl Grey tea until smooth.
  8. Assemble the Rolls: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into an 18 x 12-inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the Earl Grey filling evenly over the dough.
  9. Roll and Cut: Tightly roll the dough into a log starting from the edge closest to you. Trim ends to make even, then slice into 12 rolls approximately 1 ½ inches wide using floss or a serrated knife.
  10. Second Rise: Place rolls in the greased casserole dish, pour heavy cream between each roll, cover with plastic wrap, and proof in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
  11. Preheat Oven: About 15 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 350 ℉ (175 ℃).
  12. Bake Rolls: Bake the rolls for 22-25 minutes or until they turn a light golden color.
  13. Make Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: While baking, finely grind culinary lavender in a food processor. In a medium bowl, beat softened butter and cold cream cheese on high until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, and ground lavender; mix on low until combined. Optionally add purple food coloring. Beat until frosting is light and fluffy.
  14. Frost and Serve: Let rolls cool for 5 minutes after baking. Spread the warm rolls generously with lavender cream cheese frosting and serve.

Notes

  • To ensure tender rolls, avoid adding too much flour during kneading; the dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
  • Grinding the Earl Grey tea finely enhances flavor and texture without large tea leaves in the dough or filling.
  • The heavy cream poured between rolls during the second rise keeps them moist and creates a rich texture.
  • If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract can be substituted.
  • Adjust the amount of culinary lavender in the frosting based on preference; too much can be overpowering.
  • Using unflavored floss for cutting the rolls helps achieve clean, even slices without squishing the dough.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/london-fog-rolls-recipe/