Savor the Sweet Nostalgia of Grandma's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes
Step into the warmth of grandmother's kitchen with these delightfully tender and sweet old fashioned tea cakes. Moreover, these cherished treats bridge the gap between cookies and cake, offering a perfect companion for your afternoon tea or coffee break.

Whether you're hosting an elegant afternoon tea party or simply craving a taste of nostalgia, these tea cakes bring the perfect blend of simplicity and comfort right to your table. Additionally, their versatile nature makes them an ideal treat for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to formal celebrations.
Ready to experience the magic of these beloved Southern treats? Let's dive into this time-tested recipe that has brought joy to generations of families.
Grandma's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes: A Perfect Balance of Sweet and Buttery
These traditional tea cakes not only capture the essence of Southern baking but also demonstrate the beauty of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary. Furthermore, this recipe has been carefully preserved to maintain that authentic taste that makes everyone feel right at home.
Here's your guide to crafting these delectable treats that will surely become a cherished addition to your recipe collection. For more comforting desserts, you might also enjoy our impossibly easy coconut pie or moist lemon pound cake.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair these delightful tea cakes with your favorite homemade cinnamon roll cake for a complete dessert spread. They're perfect alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee, especially when served with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream.
Pro Tips for Perfect Tea Cakes:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the smoothest, most uniform dough.
- Don't Overwork: Mix the dough just until combined to maintain that signature tender texture.
- Consistent Thickness: Roll the dough evenly for uniform baking and the perfect texture in every bite.
- Watch the Edges: Look for slightly golden edges as your indicator for perfect doneness.
- Cooling Matters: Let them cool completely on a wire rack to achieve that ideal crispy-yet-tender texture.

Grandma's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes Recipe:
- Preparation time: 45 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 24
- Calories: 188 kcal
- Equipment: Electric mixer, rolling pin, cookie cutters, baking sheets
Looking for more traditional recipes? Try our old fashioned peach cobbler or to die for buttermilk pound cake.
Ingredients:
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions:
- Cream the Base: Beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer or paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition. Mix in the vanilla with the last egg.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a separate bowl.
- Form the Dough: Gently stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until no flour streaks remain.
- Chill: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead gently until it comes together, then wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160°C) and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment.
- Roll and Cut: Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness, then cut into desired shapes.
- Arrange: Place the cut tea cakes on prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between each cookie.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden.
- Cool: Let cool on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Storage Solutions:
Keep these tea cakes fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature for about an hour.
Ready to Relish!
These old fashioned tea cakes are more than just a dessert – they're a trip down memory lane, perfect for creating new memories with loved ones while honoring cherished family traditions.
Print📖 Recipe
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Tea Cakes Recipe
Looking for more traditional recipes? Try our old fashioned peach cobbler or to die for buttermilk pound cake.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Cream the Base: Beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer or paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition. Mix in the vanilla with the last egg.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a separate bowl.
- Form the Dough: Gently stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until no flour streaks remain.
- Chill: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead gently until it comes together, then wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160°C) and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment.
- Roll and Cut: Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness, then cut into desired shapes.
- Arrange: Place the cut tea cakes on prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between each cookie.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden.
- Cool: Let cool on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes








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