Description
Nostalgic Southern tea cakes bring comfort from generations past, delivering sweet memories with each tender bite. Delicate crumbs and subtle vanilla hint at grandmother’s kitchen, inviting you to savor a treasured slice of culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) plain flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) softened butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups (300 milliliters) granulated sugar
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon powdered nutmeg
Leavening and Seasoning:
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for even baking and easy cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous, creating a smooth base for the tea cakes.
- Introduce whole eggs and pure vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, whisking until the ingredients are completely integrated and the texture becomes uniform.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, fine sea salt, and ground nutmeg in a separate bowl, ensuring no lumps remain and all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Carefully fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing, which could make the tea cakes tough.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60-90 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the butter to firm up, making the dough easier to handle.
- Remove the chilled dough and portion into small, uniform balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, placing them approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Gently press down on each dough ball with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass to create slight disk shapes, ensuring even thickness for consistent baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown, indicating the tea cakes are perfectly cooked.
- Transfer the baked tea cakes to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to rest and firm up for 5-7 minutes before serving or storing.
Notes
- Grandma’s cherished recipe passed down through generations, capturing the essence of Southern hospitality.
- Soft, buttery cookies have a delicate texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.
- Perfect for afternoon tea, church gatherings, or a cozy moment of nostalgia with family.
- Nutmeg adds a warm, subtle spice that transforms these simple cookies into a comforting treat.
- Chilling the dough helps develop deeper flavors and ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
- Versatile recipe allows for creative twists like adding lemon zest or drizzling with light glaze.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg