Recently, I read “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield. The best description I can give is that it is a book for book lovers. Perhaps not the most descriptive, but the simplest surmise possible. There is no doubt Setterfield is a book lover, and her main character is a reclusive reader who lives and works in an antique book shop. While coveting the main character’s life, the book created a deep desire for tea and cake. Random? Undoubtably. Yet, if you end up reading the book; you might understand. The overall quality of the book I’ll leave to other opinions (the reviews are all over the place on Goodreads), because I personally enjoyed the break from reading Slaughterhouse Five by Vonnegut and For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway. These very existentialist reads required a much lighter one to break them up.
Therefore, I scoped Pinterest and found this little gem hidden away on my “YUM” board (I’m creative, right?). I thought I would share this recipe with you and a picture of my finished product for your enjoyment. Both the book and baking this cake (as well as devouring it!) was a much needed escape for me, and I thought it could be some inspiration to other book/tea and cake lovers out there. Enjoy!
Earl Grey Cake Recipe
CAUTION- The icing is amazing!! (even my 9-year-old nephew became a rhubarb lover!)
**Quick side note, I did not use self-rising flour in my cake (because I did not realize there actually was some in the pantry). The recipe calls for it, which explains why mine is half the size of the original. Yet, it was still delicious.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Simply & Softly 
Rhubarb cream cheese glaze?! YUM! Your board is aptly named. 🙂
I’ve never read The Thirteenth Tale, but it might be the type of light reading material I’m looking for right now.
The icing was definitely the most loved part! I enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale a lot just from a purely escapist reader expectation, I really didn’t over-evaluate it like I do a lot of others. Definitely worth looking into if that is what you are looking for!
I am in a romantic mood so might give this a shot. But I am trying to lower my sugar intake so stop tempting me….
It is tempting, isn’t it? I place my blame on the book. It talked about tea and cake way too much to resist!