🎂 Ingredients

For the Milk Tea Sponge Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) cake flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup (120ml) strong brewed black tea (cooled)

• ¼ cup (60ml) whole milk

For the Milk Tea Buttercream:

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 2½ cups (300g) powdered sugar

• ¼ cup (60ml) strong brewed black tea (reduced to 2 tbsp for intense flavor)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Brown Sugar Boba:

• 1 cup cooked tapioca pearls (boba)

• ½ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup water

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🧁 Instructions

1. Make the Sponge Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.

2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

3. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.

4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

5. Combine milk and tea. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk-tea mixture to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.

6. Divide batter into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes. Let cool completely.

2. Brew and Reduce Tea for Frosting:

• Brew strong black tea (e.g., Earl Grey or Assam).

• Reduce ¼ cup down to 2 tbsp in a saucepan for stronger flavor. Let it cool.

3. Make Milk Tea Buttercream:

1. Beat butter until creamy.

2. Gradually add powdered sugar.

3. Add cooled tea concentrate and vanilla. Beat until smooth and fluffy.

4. Make Brown Sugar Boba Syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, heat brown sugar and water over medium heat.

2. Once boiling, add cooked tapioca pearls and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thick and glossy.

3. Let cool slightly before using.

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🍰 Assemble the Cake:

1. Place the first cake layer on a plate.

2. Spread an even layer of milk tea buttercream.

3. Add the second layer and frost the entire cake.

4. Decorate the top with piped cream and pour brown sugar boba on top.

5. Serve immediately for the best boba texture (or add boba right before serving).

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💡 Tips:

• Boba pearls harden when cold, so assemble just before serving.

• Use high-quality black tea for bold flavor.

• You can also fill the center layer with a bit of brown sugar syrup and pearls for extra flavor.