These Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are a beloved reminder of how wonderful simplicity can be. Soft, buttery and gently spiced with nutmeg, these tea cakes are perfect for city gatherings or a quiet afternoon snack. Lightly sweetened and with a tender crumb, these are a classic Southern dessert that are simple to make, and impossible to resist.
Why You’re Going To Love These Southern Tea Cakes:
Soft and Buttery Uniforms: With a creamed butter and sugar mixture, those tea cakes have a fork-tender crumb and melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Classic Flavor Stirring in a little vanilla and a drop of nutmeg adds warm, aromatic flavor that echoes the way Southern baking has always been.
Basic Ingredients: Made from pantry basics, you can easily whip up these tea cakes with things you probably have at home.
Soo Moist & Tasty: These tea cakes are perfect for any occasion, be it an afternoon tea or a treat during the holidays, and they are loved by the young and the old alike.
Butter: Use unsalted butter and be sure it is softened to room temperature. This helps get to the correct creamy consistency when beating with sugar.
Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness. You may reduce sugar even more for less sweet version if you prefer.
Nutmeg: The ground nutmeg adds a warm, somewhat vague gumball spice note that is a signature of classic tea cakes. If you’ve got fresh nutmeg, it gives even more flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract lends aromatic depth to these tea cakes. For flavor, choose the pure stuff, not imitation.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare for Baking
Adjust the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This is also the ideal temperature for baking tea cakes lightly golden brown.
Prepare the Baking Sheet: Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it to avoid sticking and to make cleaning easy.
Step 2: Mixing Butter and Sugar
Mix Butter and Sugar: In a big mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1¾ cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. That step adds air, creating the soft-textured tea cakes.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each egg before adding the next.
To Add Vanilla Extract: Mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a warm, aromatic flavor
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix 3 cups of plain flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of powdered nutmeg.
Step 5: Combine Mixtures
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar until completely combined. The dough will be stiff, which is what you want for a tea cake texture.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill at least an hour. Chilling allows for easier handling and improves the flavor.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Transfer Dough: Take the dough from the refrigerator. Roll into 1-inch balls and space them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Flatten the Dough: With the bottom of a glass or a cookie stamp, gently flatten each ball into a round disk.
Bake: Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are a light golden brown.
Step 8: Cool
Cool on Baking Sheet Let tea cakes set a few minutes on baking sheet.
Cool Completely: Move to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps avoid sogginess.
Serving Suggestions:
Southern Tea Cakes, old-fashioned and all, are good for lots of occasions, and you can serve a variety of things alongside:
Afternoon Tea: Enjoy these tea cakes with a steaming cup of tea or coffee for a traditional afternoon treat.
Holiday Platter: Add them to a dessert platter with other cookies and treats for a festive holiday array.
Just a Little Dusting of Powdered Sugar: If you want to give a nice, bite-sized dessert a little sweet touch, dust it with a little powdered sugar.
Serve with Lemon Curd or Jam: Sweetening them up with lemon curd, strawberry jam or clotted cream is a lovely contrast to the buttery flavor.
Ice Cream Sandwiches: For another spin, scoop vanilla ice cream between two of the tea cakes for a fun treat.
Storage Tips:
These tea cakes are simple to tuck away and can be made in advance, making for a lovely snack or dessert.
Room Temperature: Keep the tea cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Refrigerating It: For longer life, store the tea cakes in the refrigerator, where they will remain fresh for up to 10 days.
Freezing: Tea cakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Store them in an airtight container, or a freezer bag with wax paper between layers. Let sit at room temperature before serving.
Recipe Variations:
Lemon Zest: When you want a refreshing citrus flavor, add 1–2 teaspoons of lemon zest to the batter.
Spiced Tea Cakes: Use 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and include a pinch of cinnamon for warm, spiced flavor.
Almond Extract: Swap out the vanilla for almond extract for nutty undertones.
Glazed Tea Cakes: Drizzle the cooled tea cakes with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and a splash of milk for a sweet topping.
Buttermilk Tea Cakes: Use 1/4 cup of buttermilk in place of one of the eggs for light tang and added tenderness.
Conclusion:
A perfect bite to remember the good days of Southern baking with these Old-Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes. With their plush, buttery texture and light, fragrant touch of nutmeg they’re bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Lightly sweet and easy, these tea cakes are a lovely offering on any dessert table, or for afternoon tea.
Give this recipe a try for a taste of the tradition, and enjoy the buttery goodness of these classic tea cakes!