Description
Old-Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are soft, buttery cookies with a touch of nutmeg that evoke nostalgic Southern charm. These classic cookies are easy to make and perfect for tea time or any cozy snack, featuring a tender crumb and a lightly sweet flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups white sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Sugar and Butter: In a large bowl, beat together the white sugar and softened butter until the mixture becomes fluffy and light in color, ensuring the right texture for the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition for even distribution. Then beat in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg gradually to form the cookie dough. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
- Form Dough Balls: Roll the dough into small balls approximately 1 inch in size for uniform baking and consistent cookies.
- Flatten Dough Balls: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten each with your fingers or the bottom of a glass to shape the cookies.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating they are done without overbaking.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring the right texture.
Notes
- Use softened butter at room temperature for easier creaming and a better texture.
- Do not overbake; cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh up to a week.
- You can sprinkle a little sugar on top before baking for extra sweetness and texture.
