Description
Southern Tea Cakes are a classic Southern treat known for their soft, buttery texture and subtle sweetness. These tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are easy to make using simple pantry ingredients and perfect for enjoying with tea or coffee. Their delicate crumb and powdered sugar finish make them a nostalgic favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients and let the butter come to room temperature to ensure easy mixing. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder to evenly distribute the baking powder and help the tea cakes rise tenderly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, incorporating air that creates a tender texture in your tea cakes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, adding moisture and rich flavor to the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the tea cakes soft and tender.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into small balls about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a couple of inches apart. Bake for 12–15 minutes until set and lightly golden at the edges.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Allow the cookies to cool slightly, then generously dust with powdered sugar for a classic Southern finish.
Notes
- Butter Temperature: Use room temperature butter for best creaming results and tender texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix just until ingredients are combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Even Sizing: Roll dough balls to uniform size for consistent baking.
- Watch Baking Time: Bake until edges are lightly golden for soft texture.
- Fresh Powdered Sugar: Dust with powdered sugar just before serving to avoid melting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Southern Tea Cakes, soft cookies, buttery cookies, Southern dessert, easy cookie recipe, classic tea cakes, gluten-free tea cakes
