Irresistible Southern Tea Cake Cookies: A Timeless Treat for Your Sweet Tooth

Discover how to make Irresistible Southern Tea Cake Cookies with butter, sugar, and vanilla. This timeless treat is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Irresistible Southern Tea Cake Cookies: A Timeless Treat for Your Sweet Tooth

Warm, buttery, and just sweet enough, Southern Tea Cake Cookies are a classic indulgence that transport you straight to a cozy kitchen in the heart of Dixie. These delightful cookies have graced Southern tea tables for generations, offering a taste that is both nostalgic and comforting. Simple to prepare, yet sophisticated enough to impress, they make for the perfect afternoon treat or dessert. Whether you're a seasoned baker or taking your first steps in the kitchen, this essential recipe will guide you in creating the perfect batch of Southern Tea Cake Cookies.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure the cookies bake evenly without sticking.

2. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
   In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This dry mix forms the base of your cookie dough, providing structure and ensuring even distribution of the leavening agent.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar:

In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer set to medium speed. Beat until the mixture is pale and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air, giving the cookies their soft, tender crumb.

4. Add Wet Ingredients:
   Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture. Continue beating until the egg is fully incorporated, and the mixture is smooth.

5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
   Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently. Alternate with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing to prevent tough cookies.

6. Shape the Cookies:

Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

7. Bake to Perfection:
   Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will remain soft and should not be overbaked to achieve the classic tea cake texture.

8. Cool and Enjoy:
   Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This short cooling time on the sheet allows the cookies to firm up slightly while maintaining their soft centers.

Conclusion:

Southern Tea Cake Cookies offer a delicious dive into a heritage rich in tradition and flavor. Each bite brings a comforting sweetness and a sense of Southern hospitality to your table. Easy to prepare, they make for an ideal project with friends, family, or even a treat-yourself moment. Whether you serve them with a warm cup of tea or as a stand-alone dessert, these cookies are sure to become a timeless favorite in your baking repertoire. Enjoy them warm from the oven or savor them as they cool – either way, they're simply irresistible.