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From My Kitchen To Yours
Easy Recipes

Southern Tea Cake Cookies

 

The American South loves its southern tea cake cookies. These treats are loved across generations and were made because of their simplicity, versatility, and comforting flavors. Tea cakes have a long history in the south; they were brought over by settlers from Europe and changed into what is now considered one of the most traditional southern desserts. Even today these soft, sweet cookies are still used in many recipes throughout southern baking.

 

Southern tea cakes might remind you of sugar cookies but they’re not quite the same thing. They’re simple to make with pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs — but what sets them apart is their flavor: vanilla or nutmeg or lemon zest can all be added for that distinctive southern taste. Whether enjoyed on a porch with some sweet tea on a hot summer day or served alongside other holiday favorites during winter months — there’s just something about these cookies that says “home.”

 

Preparing Southern tea cake cookies is not just a recipe but a cultural heritage that has been passed down from one generation to another. It’s common for each family to have their most treasured recipe, with every variation and technique distinctively unique in its own way as handed over by the grandmothers or even great-grandmothers. Making tea cakes is more than preparing dessert; it’s an act which fosters bonding, keeps customs alive, and builds memories that are shared around a kitchen table.

 

Moreover, apart from being deeply rooted in culture Southern tea cake cookies also carry symbols of hospitality and community. Commonly referred to as ‘poor man’s cookie’ these simple delights frequently show up at social gatherings like church functions or family events where they act as gestures of welcome and friendship among people brought together by different circumstances. Whether baked for sharing during Sunday potlucks or given out to neighbors either in times of happiness or sadness; tea cakes represent southern way of receiving guests warmly thus spreading love wherever served.

 

Ingredients:

   2 cups all-purpose flour

   1 teaspoon baking powder

   1/2 teaspoon baking soda

   1/4 teaspoon salt

   1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

   1 cup granulated sugar

   1 large egg

   1 teaspoon vanilla extract

   1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

   1/4 cup buttermilk (or substitute with whole milk)

 

Directions:

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover baking trays with silicone baking mats or parchment pape

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

   In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Combine until blended the egg and vanilla extract

   Add dry ingredients gradually into wet ingredients on low speed just until combined; if using fold in ground nutmeg.

   Slowly pour in buttermilk (or whole milk) while mixing until dough comes together – do not overmix.

   Scoop tablespoon-size portions of dough and roll into balls. Separate dough onto sheets, 2 inches apart.

   Gently flatten each ball to about 1/4 inch thickness using the bottom of a glass or flat surface.

   Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.

   Remove from oven; let cool on sheets several minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

   Once cooled, serve these delicious southern tea cake cookies with some sweet tea or your favorite beverage!

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