Indulge in a nostalgic journey with our collection of classic Old Fashioned Tea Cakes recipes. These delightful treats, also known as butter cakes or fairy cakes, have been cherished for generations, gracing tea parties, bake sales, and family gatherings. With their tender crumb, delicate crumbles, and sweet simplicity, these timeless cakes evoke a sense of comfort and warmth. From the traditional to the delightfully unique, our curated recipes offer a delightful array of flavors and variations. Discover the classic Vanilla Tea Cakes, with their irresistible vanilla aroma and versatile nature. Explore the zesty twist of Lemon Tea Cakes, where bright citrus notes dance on your palate. For a touch of elegance, try the sophisticated Earl Grey Tea Cakes, infused with the distinctive bergamot flavor. And for those seeking a decadent indulgence, the Chocolate Tea Cakes are an absolute must-try, with their rich cocoa flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
DEEP SOUTH OLD FASHIONED TEA CAKES
Steps:
- In a large bowl cream together butter and shortening until creamy.
- Mix in sugar until well combined.
- Mix in egg.
- Mix in lemon zest and vanilla bean paste. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
- Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk.
- Turn dough onto a smooth surface and knead until dough is soft.
- Shape into a disk and cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour (or freeze for 30 minutes)
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Remove dough from fridge and plastic wrap.
- Knead dough to soften it.
- Roll dough to 1/4-inch thick.( I rolled the dough on parchment to prevent sticking)
- Use a round cookie cutter to cut out circle shapes.
- Place cookies on prepared pan about 2 inches apart. (see note)
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until bottoms are lightly golden. (see note)
- Remove from pan and place on cooling rack to finish cooling.
- Once cooled store in airtight container.
OLD FASHIONED TEA CAKE
Fluffy, buttery, and shockingly tender, old fashioned tea cakes are more akin to a crossover between a biscuit and a cookie than they are to a cake. Like many of our oldest recipes, tea cakes were created out of scarcity-both in ingredients and time. Rather than the time consuming yeasted breads made for holidays or the intricate (and expensive) pastries made for celebrations like weddings and birthdays, tea cakes were more of an everyday treat to be enjoyed with a cup of tea. But seventy years ago, treats regularly baked to stock the cupboard for a surprise visit had to be made without requiring a great deal of time and without depleting the pantry of its resources. The tea cake took very little time to make and called for ingredients already laying around the kitchens of our great grandparents. While they may look like cookies, they certainly don't taste like them. Tea cakes contain much less sugar than a conventional cookie, and the main liquid ingredient is buttermilk, giving a slightly savory edge to an already mildly sweet pastry. At their most basic, tea cakes are simply flour and sugar combined with butter and buttermilk. Flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, or lemon are regularly used to add a touch of flair to the otherwise simple cakes. Our recipe calls for the zest of one lemon, adding just the right hint of citrus to the buttery tea cake.
Provided by Micah A Leal
Categories Cakes
Time 1h35m
Yield 12 tea cakes
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine flour, sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to mix.
- Scatter butter across surface. Pulse until butter is completely incorporated into dry ingredients. Add buttermilk and pulse a few times until the dough clumps together. Gather dough, barely kneading until you can shape the dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. On a well floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll dough into a 1/4-inch thick circle. Use a 3-inch round cutter to punch out circles from the dough; transfer circles to prepared baking sheet. Reroll scraps and cut out additional circles.
- Bake until tea cakes have puffed slightly and barely take on color, 12-14 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before removing from baking sheet.
OLD FASHIONED TEA CAKES II
This delightful buttery cookie recipe has stood the test of time. Have some with an old fashioned cup of tea.
Provided by Jacquetta Peace
Categories Desserts Cookies Butter Cookie Recipes Tea Cakes and Biscuits Recipes
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Stir in eggs, and beat well. Sift together the flour, baking powder and nutmeg. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and place onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 8 minutes in the preheated oven, cookies should brown slightly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 160.5 calories, Carbohydrate 24.6 g, Cholesterol 34.3 mg, Fat 5.9 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 99 mg, Sugar 11.3 g
GRANDMA'S OLD FASHIONED TEA CAKES
A soft teacake that is best when one to two days old. You can change flavors by substituting almond or lemon extract for the vanilla. Add a few drop of food coloring to dress up the dough for special occasions.
Provided by RGA
Categories Desserts Cookies Sugar Cookies
Time 53m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; stir into the creamed mixture. Knead dough for a few turnns on a floured board until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 187.8 calories, Carbohydrate 26.6 g, Cholesterol 35.8 mg, Fat 8.3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 135.3 mg, Sugar 14.7 g
Tips:
- Prep Your Ingredients: Prior to beginning, have all ingredients measured and ready. This will ensure a smooth and efficient baking process.
- Temperature Matters: Use room temperature ingredients, particularly butter and eggs. This allows them to blend more easily, resulting in a smoother batter.
- Creaming Method: Follow the creaming method accurately. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the mixture, providing a tender and airy texture to the tea cakes.
- Gentle Mixing: When adding the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can develop gluten in the flour, leading to tough tea cakes.
- Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the tea cakes while baking. Insert a toothpick or skewer into the center. If it comes out clean, the tea cakes are done. Overbaking can dry them out.
- Cooling and Frosting: Allow the tea cakes to cool completely before frosting. Warm tea cakes can cause the frosting to melt or become runny.
Conclusion:
Old-fashioned tea cakes are a classic treat that can be enjoyed for any occasion. With their simple ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, these tea cakes are a delightful addition to any baker's repertoire. Whether you prefer a buttery flavor or a zesty lemon twist, these recipes offer a range of options to suit your taste. Remember to follow the tips mentioned above for successful baking and indulge in the timeless charm of these old-fashioned tea cakes.
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