The best (and easiest) Tea Cakes Recipe (or tea cake cookies recipe) is here! You will feel like you are right in the South after making and serving these, not to mention eating them. A true southern delicacy.
How to Make Tea Cakes Recipe
The traditions of southern tea cakes recipe making in my family vary. On my dad’s side of the family, southern tea cake cookies were made with molasses. On my mom’s side, they wouldn’t dream of adding molasses.
The funny thing is that both sides reside in Mississippi though in different regions. You would actually think they lived states or even worlds apart based on the differences between their upbringings. I find it interesting how a couple hours drive can completely alter what is acceptable food ingredient protocol in traditional southern baking.
Regardless of which southern tea cakes recipe one prefers, no one in the South can deny the crucial role tea cakes play in their heritage. They are almost part of a religious experience. My parents both describe in great detail the remembrances of southern tea cake cookies prepared by their mothers and grandmothers and even great grand mothers for special occasions or just regular days. But what makes a southern tea cake so darn special?
What are Tea Cakes?
Southern tea cakes look like simple butter cookies (which is why they are sometimes called tea cake cookies) but they have a bit more of a cake consistency. To me, they are just plain fabulous.
They are buttery, rich, subtly sweet, and soft. Am I making you hungry yet? Everything you love about dessert is rolled into this recipe, and you won’t believe how simple it is to make that happen.
The recipe ingredients are the same as typical butter cookies but the ratios produce something slightly different. I think they are somewhat similar to my Butter Ricotta Cookies recipe in terms of flavor but they are very unique if you have never tasted them.
Old Fashioned Tea Cakes
This vintage recipe is one of my favorites because the texture is how the originals were made. I plan on passing this recipe down for years to come. I believe in the importance of traditions. They truly shape who we are in a way that most things can’t. They end up defining our ideals. I simply can’t wait to one day hear their memories of the special occasions and times we shared with these traditional Southern treats.
I have lots of cookie recipes that are just as old fashioned as these. For instance my Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are a favorite here on the blog that I know you will adore.
The best (and easiest) Southern Tea Cakes Recipe (or tea cake cookies recipe) is here! You will feel like you are right in the South after making and serving these, not to mention eating them.
- 1 stick unsalted butter room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda and set aside.
- In the bowl of your mixer, add butter and sugar and cream together on high speed until fluffy and smooth (about 4-5 minutes).
- Turn mixer to medium speed and add in one egg and vanilla extract and beat until well incorporated.
- Lastly, turn mixer to slow speed and add in flour mixture in intervals of three beating after each addition to incorporate.
- After dough is well mixed, turn off mixer and remove dough from mixer and add to a ziploc bag and place in your refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up dough.
- Once dough is firm, remove from fridge and preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
- Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Taking a measuring tablespoon, scoop out cookie dough the size of the tablespoon and roll into a ball. Using your thumb, gently press the center to flatten a bit and place on the tray.
- Do the same for the rest of the dough leaving at least an 1 1/2 inches between each dough ball.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until golden brown on the edges and remove from the oven.
- Cool for 5-10 minutes and serve.
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Thank You I have been searching for this recipe. I think this is it.
This is the best recipe Just wish it makes more
Thank you so much!!! Just make sure to double if you want a larger quantity.
How would I go about making a red velvet version of these?
I wouldn’t change the recipe but you could add a little cocoa powder and a bit of red food coloring.
This recipe is perfect. I agree- Tea cakes are important to our Southern Heritage. I think I will make some this weekend. I had been asking for some for months, and my co-worker made some using this recipe. They were soooooooooo goood with my morning cup of coffee!
Awww thank you so so much!!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed them.
This recipe is perfect. I agree- Tea cakes are important to hour Southern Heritage. I think I will make some this weekend. I had been asking for some for months, and my co-worker made some using this recipe. They were soooooooooo goood with my morning cup of coffee!
This is the best tea cake I’ve ever had love them
I’m so glad you love these! I love them!
I remember my grandmother coming in from the cotton field early, in order to cook supper. She would sometimes whip up a batch of tea cakes in 20 minutes. What I remember is how good the dough was, and the smell when they came out of the oven
Oh gosh what a fantastic story.
I can’t see the measurement for the amount of cream. Cream is mentioned with blending the butter and sugar.
Yes no actual cream is in the recipe. To cream means to mix in baking terms.
I love your recipe for southern tea cakes, I misplaced the recipe and I asked my co-worker to help me find it on Pinterest. After a couple of hours, she found the recipe and decided to follow you. Thank you for posting this recipe, I just love this tea cake recipe with a lemon glazed drizzles on top.
Wonderful! I’m so glad you found me! Thanks for following me!
Just tried these, and I love ’em! Been looking for a good recipe for a while. And these are so easy!
Hooray I’m so so glad!
I’ve been trying to find a tea cake like my grand mother’s… I so hope this is it. She too was from Mississippi, and I can’t seem to find one close to her’s. The one noticeable difference is she used nutmeg, and rolled them out and cut them with a drinking glass. And you’re spot on with the differences between the cooking styles in Mississippi. Both of my parents were from Mississippi and didn’t meet till the moved to Cleveland Ohio. My maternal grandmother was by
I hope you enjoy them Karen!
I made these tonight because I wanted to bake something sweet, without having to buy additional ingredients. They are delicious and taste just as you described. Mine were a bit thicker than yours, but it may be because I used too much dough or because I used a medium egg, instead of a large one.
These were easy to make and my husband was pleasantly surprised by the homemade treat. Thanks again for this wonderful blog.
Great memories! My Grandma was a wonderful cook & baker. She made tea cakes every year for Christmas. They are so simple, yet so delicious.
omg, love these! elegant and perfect. . can’t wait to try!
Thanks so much hon! I love that they are elegant!
Love these cakes! I so want a few of these right now along with a cup of tea! 🙂
Thank you so much Sarah! These are actually perfect with a cup of tea! Or served alone.
Lets have a tea party and you bring these, mmmkay?? They sound absolutely lovely! And I love hearing about your southern family! 🙂
These look amazing and I’d take a tea cake over a frosted layer cake any day. I love the blue patterned saucer, too! 🙂
Thanks so much Sasha. I think I might be right there with you!
How did I miss these? They look perfect for tea time, or anytime! Love the name too!
They are fantastic. They are seriously one of my favorite things ever.
I don’t think I’ve ever had tea cakes, but I know I’d love them. Cakey cookies are always some of my favorites.
Indeed, same with me!
Hmmm! This Northerner has never had a tea cake but these look super tastyy! It’s so cool how traditions are handed down and also how they can vary between a couple hours!
Indeed! I’m from Chicago and we never talk about tea cakes. I only hear about them in the south.
A tea cake? That sounds amazing! I have to try one ASAP! 😉
You have such a lovely blog!
Feel free to visit my blog as well! There are tons of tips on fashion, beauty, style, health, personal growth and more! <3
Diana
http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
New Blog Post: How To Look Well-Rested
Thank you so much Diana. They are awesome. I will check out your blog now! Thanks for stopping by.
These look so soft and pretty, almost like sugar cookies. I could go for about 6 of them and a big mug of tea. 🙂
Same here Pamela, Same here!!
perfect cookies!
Thanks so much Dina!
I don’t think I’ve ever had tea cakes but they look really good! I was just talking to my husband yesterday about how different food is for different areas of the US. It is really interesting!
It is super interesting. Even an hour drive can give you a totally different result
I LOVE Tea cakes and this recipe is the way i’m used to them!
Yes! I think I might post the other recipe that uses molasses at some point as well just for the comparison.
Please do. I just bought a surplus of molasses. ☺
Wow awesome!!!
I love your vintage recipes! And what an interesting story about even though they lived so close together, their recipes are so different. Fun!!
It is so interesting to me, even today! Thanks for stopping by Renee!
These look good, but now I’m curious about the ones made w/molasses! Just found your site and looking forward to perusing it! 🙂
Same here Tonia! I will try to get that recipe and post it as well!
Did you ever try the tea cakes with molasses? My mom told me to omit the sugar and use syrup instead since I did not have molasses on hand. This is how she always made hers.
Hi Feleshia, my dad’s side of the family made tea cakes with molasses but I never tried it like that. It is definitely on my list of things to try this year! Let me know how yours turn out! It would be even better if you posted a pic on my facebook wall so I can see your gorgeous teacakes!
I can’t wait to try these!!!!
Thanks so much Melanie!
Those look awesome! Can’t wait to try 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Hooray! They are awesome!
I’ve never had a Southern tea cake before but I can already tell I’m going to love them. 🙂
They are the best thing ever!
I have never had a tea cake before, but these look amazing. Buttery and soft? You bet!
And I love that plate! The blue is so striking!
Yes they are buttery and soft! Yummy and thanks so much for the plate complement!
I love all your stories. I so want this southern treat!
Awww thanks so much Melissa. Lucky for me I have some dough left in my freezer!
I’ve never had tea cakes before. But they sound just delicious- buttery, rich and soft. Nothing not to love here! I’m going to try this family favorite of yours. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much Zainab. They are quite lovely.
I love learning about Southern traditions, particularly when it comes to food. I feel like I’m missing out; I don’t think I’ve ever had a tea cake like this. I can picture them on a special occasion and I imagine it’s wonderful with some tea in the afternoon. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
It is absolutely wonderful with tea Monica. You totally didn’t miss out.
Tea cakes are a big deal to my Southern grandma, too. All my brothers love her version best! These look so good!
Yes, Tea Cakes are a huge deal in the South right Mary!
I don’t think that I have ever had a tea cake. I will have to give them a try. Thanks for sharing 🙂
They are wonderful Laura!