By Bring Southern Tea Cake Cookies to your table with an easy method and crowd-pleasing taste. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and casual gatherings alike.
Southern Tea Cake Cookies captures the essence of desserts|cakes while staying approachable for everyday cooking. The method focuses on maximizing flavor with minimal steps, using common pantry items and fresh ingredients. From the first bite you’ll notice a balance of texture and taste that feels both familiar and exciting. To build depth, we combine proper seasoning with simple techniques: gentle heat for aromatics, accurate measurements, and attention to doneness. Small details—like resting time or layering ingredients—make a noticeable difference in the final dish. This recipe is designed to be flexible. You can swap in seasonal produce, adjust spices to match your preferences, or adapt the base to suit dietary needs. The goal is to keep the spirit of the dish while letting you tailor it to your kitchen. Serving ideas are wide open: pair with a crisp salad, roasted vegetables, warm bread, or your favorite grains. Leftovers store well and often taste even better the next day as flavors settle. That makes the recipe suitable for meal prep and busy schedules. For best results, read the steps once before you start, assemble ingredients, and cook with confidence. Taste as you go, and don’t be afraid to adjust seasoning. With these principles, Southern Tea Cake Cookies becomes a reliable addition to your rotation—crowd-pleasing, practical, and full of flavor.
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 stick unsalted butter room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
How To Make Southern Tea Cake Cookies
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda and set aside.
In the bowl of your mixer, add butter and sugar and mix together on high speed until fluffy and smooth (about 4-5 minutes).
Turn mixer to medium speed and add in one egg and vanilla extract and beat until well incorporated.
Lastly, turn mixer to slow speed and add in flour mixture in intervals of three beating after each addition to incorporate.
After dough is well mixed, turn off mixer and remove dough from mixer and add to a Ziploc bag and place in your refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up dough.
Once dough is firm, remove from fridge and preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Taking a measuring tablespoon, scoop out cookie dough the size of the tablespoon and roll into a ball. Using your thumb, gently press the center to flatten a bit and place on the tray.
Do the same for the rest of the dough leaving at least an 1 1/2 inches between each dough ball.
Bake for 9-11 minutes until golden brown on the edges and remove from the oven.
Cool for 5-10 minutes and serve.
PREPARATION STEPS
Bake for 9-11 minutes until golden brown on the edges and remove from the oven.
How To Make Southern Tea Cake Cookies
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda and set aside.
In the bowl of your mixer, add butter and sugar and mix together on high speed until fluffy and smooth (about 4-5 minutes).
Turn mixer to medium speed and add in one egg and vanilla extract and beat until well incorporated.
Lastly, turn mixer to slow speed and add in flour mixture in intervals of three beating after each addition to incorporate.
After dough is well mixed, turn off mixer and remove dough from mixer and add to a Ziploc bag and place in your refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up dough.
Once dough is firm, remove from fridge and preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Do the same for the rest of the dough leaving at least an 1 1/2 inches between each dough ball.
Remember to make sure your ingredients are room temperature. They will incorporate much better and create a wonderful well mixed dough.
To keep your Southern Tea Cakes tasting just as amazing as the day they were baked, store them in an airtight container at room temperature; they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
If you want to preserve their delightful texture for a bit longer, you can also freeze the tea cakes; just make sure they’re tightly wrapped and they’ll be good for up to three months.
ORIGIN STORY
Home-style cooking inspired by classic flavors and modern, reliable methods.
META INFOS
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 35 min | Total: 55 min | Servings: 12 | Calories: ~320 kcal | Difficulty: Easy
BENEFITS
Balanced flavor with approachable prep. Nutrition-friendly options and make-ahead friendly for busy schedules.
OCCASIONS
Weeknight dinners; Family gatherings; Potlucks; Holidays; Picnics; Meal prep
VARIATIONS
Swap seasonal produce; Adjust spices; Offer gluten-free or low-carb options where suitable; Try alternative proteins.
PAIRING
Coffee; Tea; Vanilla ice cream; Fresh berries
STORAGE
Refrigerate in airtight container 2–4 days; freeze up to 2 months. Reheat gently to preserve texture.
TIPS
Measure accurately; Preheat pans/oven; Avoid overcooking; Taste and adjust seasoning; Rest before slicing when needed.
