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OLD FASHIONED SOUTHERN TEA CAKES
Sophia James

Southern Tea Cakes

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These old-fashioned Southern tea cakes are soft, buttery cookies with hints of vanilla and nutmeg—rooted in African-American culinary tradition and made with love across generations. Perfect for holidays, reunions, or a nostalgic bite of home.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 140

Ingredients
  

  • cups white sugar
  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • electric mixer
  • cookie cutters
  • baking sheet
  • wire rack
  • rolling pin

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Gradually add this dry mix to your wet ingredients.
  4. Knead the dough briefly on a floured surface until smooth. Cover and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters for your desired shapes.
  6. Place cookies 1½ inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
  7. Let cookies cool briefly on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1.5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 85mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.7mg

Notes

For a twist, add lemon zest, a dash of cinnamon, or press a pecan on top before baking. These freeze well and taste amazing reheated for 10 seconds in the microwave. Serve with iced tea or coffee for the full Southern experience.

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