Oh my goodness, let me tell you about southern tea cake cookies! These little gems are the epitome of soft, sweet perfection. Imagine biting into a cookie that practically melts in your mouth, with just the right amount of sweetness to make your taste buds dance. I can’t help but think of family gatherings where these cookies are a must-have. My grandma always made a big batch for Sunday afternoon tea, and they never lasted long! They’re perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a cozy get-together or just need a sweet treat to enjoy with your morning coffee. Trust me, once you try these cookies, you’ll understand why they’re a beloved staple in southern kitchens.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted for a lighter texture
- 1 cup granulated sugar, to sweeten perfectly
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature for easy mixing
- 1 large egg, to bind everything together
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for that lovely depth of flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, to help them rise just right
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, to enhance all those sweet flavors
How to Prepare Southern Tea Cake Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and come out just right. No one likes a cookie that’s raw in the middle, right?
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, grab that softened butter and sugar. Using a hand mixer or just a good old wooden spoon, cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. You want to see that lovely, airy texture because it helps your cookies rise beautifully!
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, crack in one large egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix everything until it’s well combined. Trust me, the aroma of vanilla wafting through your kitchen is heavenly! Just make sure it’s all blended nicely; you want that rich flavor to shine through.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is super important! It helps distribute the baking powder evenly in the flour, which means your cookies will rise perfectly. Plus, sifting the flour gives your cookies that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. I like to do this in thirds, mixing gently until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix! You want to keep that light texture we worked so hard for in the beginning.
Step 6: Form Cookies
Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop generous spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to space them out about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread a little while baking, and we don’t want any cookie collisions!
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Pop those beauties in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden, but the centers might still look a tad soft. That’s exactly what you want for that chewy goodness!
Step 8: Cooling the Cookies
Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set up nicely and maintains that perfect texture. You want them to cool completely so they don’t fall apart when you take a bite!
Tips for Success
Alright, if you want your southern tea cake cookies to be absolutely perfect, I’ve got some golden tips for you! First off, make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start. This helps everything blend together smoothly and gives your cookies that amazing texture we all love. Also, remember to avoid overmixing the dough; once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until you see no dry flour. This keeps your cookies from becoming tough. And don’t forget, baking is all about timing! Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes in the oven—every oven is a little different, so a minute can make all the difference. Trust me, these little tweaks will take your cookies from good to absolutely delightful!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk numbers! Here’s an estimated breakdown of the nutritional values for each southern tea cake cookie. Each cookie contains about 120 calories, which isn’t too bad for such a sweet treat! You’ll also find around 10 grams of sugar, 50 mg of sodium, and 6 grams of fat, with 4 grams being saturated fat. Plus, there’s approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates and 1 gram of protein. Keep in mind these values can vary based on the specific ingredients used, but this gives you a good idea of what to expect. Enjoy your cookies guilt-free, because they’re totally worth it!
Variations
Oh, the possibilities with southern tea cake cookies are endless! If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a bit of lemon zest to the dough for a refreshing citrus twist. It brightens up the flavor and makes these cookies even more delightful! Or, if you’re a chocolate lover like me, fold in some chocolate chips—dark, milk, or even white chocolate, whatever your heart desires. Another fun option is to mix in some chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, for a delightful crunch that pairs beautifully with the soft cookie texture. You can even experiment with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, cozy flavor. Trust me, these little tweaks will make your cookies uniquely yours and oh-so-delicious!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your southern tea cake cookies fresh and delicious, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and tasty for about a week—if they last that long! If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze the cookies. Just wrap each one in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to indulge, let them thaw at room temperature. If you prefer them warm, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, and they’ll be just as delightful as when they were freshly baked!
FAQ Section
Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely! Freezing southern tea cake cookies is a great way to save some for later. Just wrap each cookie in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a little while. If you’re feeling impatient like I sometimes do, you can pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm them up. They’ll taste just as delightful as the day you made them!
What can I substitute for butter?
If you need a butter substitute, you can use an equal amount of margarine or even coconut oil. Just remember that using coconut oil may give your cookies a slight coconut flavor, which can be delicious! For a dairy-free option, you can try using vegan butter as a one-to-one replacement. The key is to ensure whatever you choose is softened to room temperature, so it creams nicely with the sugar.
How do I know when they are done baking?
Great question! You’ll know your cookies are done when the edges turn a lovely, light golden brown, while the centers might still look a little soft. This is perfectly normal! They’ll continue to firm up a bit as they cool on the baking sheet. If you want to be super sure, you can gently press down on one with your finger—if it springs back, they’re ready to come out! Just be careful not to let them bake too long, or you’ll miss out on that deliciously chewy texture!
Southern Tea Cake Cookies: 7 Steps to Sweet Perfection
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Southern tea cake cookies are soft, sweet, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
- Add egg and vanilla, mix until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- You can add lemon zest for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: southern tea cake cookies
