Clarice’s Tea Cakes

📜 Collection: UK2 | ✍️ Attribution: Clarice | 📂 Category: Desserts A classic Southern-style tea cake featuring a soft, rolled cookie with a rich butter dough and cake-like texture. These traditional sweets are finished with a hint of vanilla and baked until just golden.


Prep TimeCook TimeInactive / Chill TimeYield / Servings
20 mins10 minsNone3-4 dozen cookies

🔪 Key Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Separate bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Whisk
  • Cookie cutter
  • Cookie sheet
  • Wire rack

Ingredients

MeasurementsIngredientsPrep / Notes
1 ½ CupsSugarStandard
1 Cup (2 sticks)Butter or OleoSoftened
3 CupsFlourAll-purpose
2EggsLarge
1 TeaspoonBaking SodaNone
1 TeaspoonVanillaNone
PinchSaltNone
2 TbspMilk or ButtermilkSee note

Instructions

Step 1: Prep and Cream

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  2. In a large bowl, cream the 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or oleo and 1 ½ cups sugar together with an electric mixer until light and creamy.

Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry

  1. Add the 2 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and pinch salt.
  3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, along with the 2 tbsp milk or buttermilk, mixing on low speed until a stiff dough forms.

Step 3: Roll, Cut, and Bake

  1. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently a few times until it comes together.
  2. Roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness.
  3. Cut out rounds with a cookie cutter and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
  5. Let cool on the cookie sheet for a minute before transferring to a wire rack.

💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Store cooled tea cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze the unbaked cut-out dough rounds for later use.


Original Recipe Scan

Original Handwritten Card