Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe

If you’ve been searching for a delightful, comforting treat that perfectly balances simplicity and rich flavor, the Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These cookies are venerable Southern classics, boasting a tender crumb, a hint of vanilla, and just the right amount of sweetness that makes them utterly irresistible. Every bite is like a warm hug from a cherished Southern kitchen, making them perfect for afternoon tea, a casual snack, or even a crowd-pleasing dessert. I’m so excited to share this Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe with you—it’s truly a timeless treasure that brings a bit of Southern charm to any table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe uses a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, but don’t let that fool you. Each plays an essential role in creating those buttery, tender cookies that melt in your mouth. From the all-purpose flour providing structure to the pure vanilla extract adding that cozy aroma, these ingredients come together in pure harmony.

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base for the cookies, giving them their soft yet sturdy texture.
• ¼ teaspoon salt: A pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda: This gentle leavening agent helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender, airy bite.
• 1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature): The star of the show, contributing rich flavor and that luscious melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
• ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetness that’s straightforward and classic, not overpowering but perfectly balanced.
• 1 large egg (room temperature): It bonds the ingredients together and adds a touch of moisture and richness.
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Pure vanilla gives the cookies that warm, inviting aroma and deep flavor complexity.

How to Make Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

Start by combining your all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Whisking these dry ingredients ensures even distribution, which sets the stage for perfectly textured cookies. Set this mixture aside for now—we’ll bring everything together soon!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Using a mixer, beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar on high speed until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and pale—this usually takes about four to five minutes. This step is crucial because the air incorporated here helps make the cookies tender and soft.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Switch your mixer to medium speed and slowly add the egg and pure vanilla extract. Beat until everything is fully combined. This adds flavor and moisture, creating a luscious dough that’s just begging to become cookies.

Step 4: Gradually Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Turn your mixer speed down to low and add the flour mixture in three batches. Mixing slowly prevents overworking the dough, which keeps these tea cakes tender rather than tough. Make sure each addition is fully incorporated before moving to the next.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Transfer your cookie dough to a Ziploc bag and refrigerate it for at least one hour. Chilling solidifies the butter again, making the dough easier to handle and producing that classic, delicate texture when baked.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C), then line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. This setup ensures even baking and easy cleanup while keeping your cookies perfectly shaped.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of chilled dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Then, gently press the center to flatten them slightly—this helps them bake evenly and develop that signature tender crumb. Place them on your prepared cookie sheet, leaving a little room between each.

Step 8: Bake Until Edges Turn Golden

Pop your tray into the oven and bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges turn a lovely shade of golden brown while the centers remain soft. This balance is what makes these cookies so charming and delightful.

Step 9: Cool Before Serving

Once baked, leave the cookies on the sheet for 5 to 10 minutes. This resting period lets them firm up just enough without losing that tender texture. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely—if you can resist grabbing one before they’re cool!

How to Serve Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

While Southern Tea Cake Cookies stand beautifully on their own, you can elevate them with simple garnishes. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and a pretty finishing touch. For a bit of crunch, pairing with a sprinkle of finely chopped pecans or a drizzle of honey provides delightful texture contrasts that celebrate Southern flavors.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs better with these cookies than a hot cup of traditional sweet tea or a rich cup of coffee, both staples of Southern hospitality. They also go wonderfully alongside fresh fruit preserves or clotted cream for a fancy afternoon tea treat that feels both special and comforting.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress friends or family, present these tea cakes stacked on vintage china or nestled in a beautifully decorated tin box as a gift. They also shine when served alongside a warm bowl of fruit cobbler or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream—so many fun ways to incorporate the Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe into memorable dessert moments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Southern Tea Cake Cookies left (which might be hard to believe), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps their texture soft and their delicate flavors fresh, ready for a late-night snack or next day treat.

Freezing

For longer storage, these dough balls freeze beautifully. Place the shaped dough balls on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re craving some warmth and sweetness, bake straight from the freezer, just adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. This quick trick means you always have a batch of Southern Tea Cake Cookies ready to enjoy!

Reheating

To revive leftover cookies, warm them briefly in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This refreshes their tenderness and brings back that freshly baked aroma, making them taste like they just came out of the oven again.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can, but skip adding additional salt to the recipe to avoid over-salting. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the final flavor and is traditionally recommended for baking.

Why is chilling the dough important in the Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe?

Chilling firms up the butter, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also enhances the texture, making the cookies tender and giving them that classic tea cake crumb.

Can I substitute the granulated sugar with brown sugar?

While you can, using brown sugar will make the cookies moister and add a slight caramel flavor. The traditional Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe calls for granulated sugar to keep the texture light and crisp on the edges.

How should these cookies be stored if I want to keep them fresh for a week?

For a week-long storage, keep the cookies in an airtight container in a cool place, or better yet, freeze them and thaw as needed to maintain freshness and texture.

Are these cookies suitable for making sandwich cookies with filling?

Absolutely! Their tender yet sturdy texture makes them perfect for sandwiching with jams, buttercream, or even lemon curd for a delicious twist on the traditional Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe.

Final Thoughts

Trying the Southern Tea Cake Cookies Recipe is like taking a sweet stroll through Southern hospitality itself—simple, warm, and utterly charming. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned cookie lover, these tea cakes bring joy and comfort with every bite. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and experience for yourself just how inviting and delicious this recipe truly is. Happy baking!

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