Few treats capture the warmth of the South like Southern Tea Cake Cookies. These buttery, soft, and slightly sweet cookies have been a staple in Southern kitchens for generations. Whether served with a cup of sweet tea or as a comforting snack, these old-fashioned treats bring back memories of home.
For a full Southern experience, pair your tea cakes with a Southern Sweet Potato Casserole—the flavors complement each other perfectly!
A Taste of Southern Heritage
The origins of Southern Tea Cakes can be traced back to African American culinary traditions, dating as far back as the era of slavery. Inspired by English tea cakes, enslaved Africans adapted the recipe using limited resources, creating a treat that was both simple and comforting.
Much like Sweet Potato Pie, Southern Tea Cakes became a cherished part of Southern traditions, passed down through generations.
Essential Ingredients for Classic Southern Tea Cakes
Key Ingredients:
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure and stability.
- Unsalted Butter – Enhances the rich, buttery flavor.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
- Egg – Binds the ingredients together.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – Adds a warm, aromatic depth.
- Baking Soda – Gives a slight lift for a light, cakey consistency.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
How to Make Southern Tea Cake Cookies
1. Preparing the Dough
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients.
2. Chilling the Dough
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour for the best texture.
3. Shaping and Baking
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Roll the dough into small, tablespoon-sized balls.
- Flatten each ball slightly and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Serving Suggestions: Pairing with Other Southern Classics
Southern Tea Cakes pair beautifully with other Southern comfort foods:
- Classic Tea Pairing – Serve with sweet tea or hot coffee.
- Biscuits and Gravy – A rich, savory counterpart to the sweetness of tea cakes.
- Holiday Dessert Platter – Pair with pecan pie or butter pound cake.
Conclusion
Baking Southern Tea Cake Cookies is more than just making a dessert—it’s about preserving history, honoring tradition, and creating new memories. These soft, buttery cookies have stood the test of time, bringing comfort to countless families.
Next time you make them, try pairing them with a Southern Sweet Potato Casserole or Biscuits and Gravy for a true taste of the South!
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Southern Tea Cake Cookies: A Nostalgic Southern Delight
Description
Discover the rich history and easy recipe for Southern Tea Cake Cookies. Soft, buttery, and nostalgic, these classic treats are a true Southern favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 stick unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- 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 mix 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.
Notes
Notes
Remember to make sure your ingredients are room temperature. They will incorporate much better and create a wonderful well mixed dough.
To keep your Southern Tea Cakes tasting just as amazing as the day they were baked, store them in an airtight container at room temperature; they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
If you want to preserve their delightful texture for a bit longer, you can also freeze the tea cakes; just make sure they’re tightly wrapped and they’ll be good for up to three months.