Description
Old-Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are soft, lightly sweet cookies that are perfect for enjoying with a hot cup of coffee or tea. These classic Southern treats combine the richness of buttermilk with the delicate flavors of vanilla and a hint of lemon, all baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract and lemon extract if using, mixing to combine thoroughly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure they are evenly distributed.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix gently until a soft dough forms; avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out rounds and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the Tea Cakes: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden color but the centers stay soft and tender.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the tea cakes to cool on wire racks before serving to ensure they set properly and maintain their softness.
Notes
- The tea cakes are meant to be soft and lightly sweet, making them an ideal companion for coffee or tea.
- For a festive variation, sprinkle the rounds with colored sugar before baking to add sparkle and a slight crunch.
- Ensure not to overbake as these cookies are best enjoyed soft and tender.
- You can substitute lemon extract with additional vanilla extract if preferred.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
