Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are a timeless classic that bring the warmth of Southern kitchens straight to your home. These tender, lightly sweet cookies feature crisp edges and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center, making them the perfect companion for tea, coffee, or milk.
Passed down through generations, Southern Tea Cakes carry the charm of simple ingredients—flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla—transformed into pure comfort. Whether you’re baking them for family gatherings, holidays, or just a cozy afternoon treat, these traditional tea cakes capture the essence of Southern hospitality and nostalgia in every bite.
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What are Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes?
“Tea Cakes,” you say, with a raised eyebrow and a playful twinkle in your eye? Are they really just for tea? And why “Southern?” Did only Southerners discover the bliss of a simple, buttery cookie? One might ponder, are these little treats the key to unlocking the secrets of Southern hospitality? Or perhaps, were they a secret weapon used by grandmothers to ensure their grandchildren always visited?
After all, isn’t it said that ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’, and doesn’t that apply to grandmothers too? Whatever their origin, these cookies deliver a taste of nostalgia and comfort. Go ahead, bake a batch. Bring this classic Southern treat to your table now.
Key Ingredients for Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes:
Here’s a visual feast of the ingredients you’ll need to whisk yourself away to Southern baking paradise!
Here’s a detailed list:
- All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups. The foundation of our tea cakes. Make sure it’s fresh and measured accurately (spoon and level!).
- Granulated Sugar: 1 ½ cups. Provides the perfect amount of sweetness and contributes to that desirable crisp edge.
- Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened. Use unsalted butter for the best flavor control and ensure it is properly softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- Eggs: 2 large. They bind the ingredients together and add richness to the tea cakes.
- Milk: ¼ cup. Adds moisture for a tender crumb. Whole milk is recommended for richness, but 2% works just fine.
- Baking Powder: 2 teaspoons. This is what gives our tea cakes their slight rise and light texture.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. Enhances the flavor and adds a touch of warmth. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon. A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
How to Make Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes:
These Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are surprisingly easy to whip up! Enjoy slightly crisp edges and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior. With a total preparation and cooking time of about 45 minutes, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy these delights.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is critical for creating a tender cookie. Use an electric mixer for the best results, and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is evenly incorporated. It should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate the Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Gently fold in the vanilla extract until evenly distributed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the baking powder.
- Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can result in tough cookies. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows the dough to firm up and makes it easier to roll out. Chilling also prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Roll and Cut Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. You can use classic round cutters or get creative with other fun shapes!
- Bake the Tea Cakes: Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
- Cool and Enjoy: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes with a cup of tea, coffee, or milk.
Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes
These Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes aren’t just simple to make; they are a nostalgic taste of pure comfort! Their slightly crisp edges yield to a soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth center, making each bite a sweet escape.
Making them at home saves you money compared to buying pre-made cookies, and you can customize them with flavored extracts or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a special touch. If you love classic cookies, you might also enjoy our Sugar Cookie recipe, but these Tea Cakes offer that unique Southern charm you won’t find anywhere else! Bake them now, and experience pure bliss.
What to Serve Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes With:
These Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of beverages and accompaniments! For a classic Southern experience, enjoy them with a glass of sweet iced tea or a warm cup of coffee.
They also complement a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream perfectly. For a simple yet elegant presentation, serve them alongside a fruit platter of fresh berries and sliced peaches.
Top Tips for Perfecting Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes:
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough tea cakes. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough ensures that the cookies don’t spread too much during baking. Don’t skip this step!
- Use Softened Butter: Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature but not melted. Softened butter creams more easily with sugar, creating a light and airy dough.
- Bake Evenly: Bake the cookies on the middle rack of the oven to ensure even baking. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking to prevent them from browning unevenly.
- Substitute Extracts: Feel free to experiment with different extracts, such as almond or lemon extract, to add a different flavor dimension to your tea cakes.
- Add Zest: For slightly tangy flavor, add lemon zest or orange zest can enhance flavor.
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Storing: To keep your Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay delicious for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 1 hour, or until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating: If you’ve frozen your tea cakes, simply thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. No reheating is necessary, as they are best enjoyed at room temperature. If you prefer, you can warm them slightly in a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for a few minutes to bring out their flavors.
Final Thoughts:
These Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are more than just cookies; they are a taste of tradition, a warm embrace, and a sweet memory all rolled into one. Their simplicity is their charm, and their flavor is simply irresistible. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to be transported to a simpler time with every delicious bite!
Discover more here : The Ultimate Baking Hub: Classic & Seasonal Recipes for Home Bakers
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Faqs
Can I use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour and baking powder?
Yes, you can! If using self-rising flour, omit the baking powder and salt from the recipe.
Can I add frosting to these tea cakes?
Absolutely! A simple powdered sugar glaze or frosting would be a delicious addition.
Can I make these tea cakes dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative and the milk with almond, soy, or oat milk. Be sure to choose dairy-free options that have a similar fat content for best results.
Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are soft, buttery, and lightly sweet with crisp edges. A true taste of Southern tradition, perfect for serving with tea, coffee, or milk.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes).
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut into desired shapes.
- Place cookies on the baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between each. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For the best results, use fresh flour and pure vanilla extract. Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and ensure perfect texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg