Description
These Old-Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes are classic, soft, and buttery cookies with a hint of nutmeg. Perfectly sized for tea time, they offer a nostalgic taste of Southern charm with a simple, straightforward recipe that yields tender, golden treats ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 3/4 cups white sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and prepare a baking sheet by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the white sugar and softened butter using an electric mixer or by hand until the mixture is fluffy and light in color, which will help give the cookies their tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully combine. Then blend in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which could toughen the cookies.
- Form Dough Balls: Roll the cookie dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Flatten the Dough: Gently press down each dough ball slightly using your fingers or the bottom of a glass to create a flattened shape for even baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating they are done but still soft inside.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on it for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely for the best texture and to prevent sogginess.
Notes
- For a more pronounced vanilla flavor, use pure vanilla extract.
- If you prefer a slightly crispier cookie, bake for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- You can substitute nutmeg with ground cinnamon if preferred for a different warm spice note.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better cookie texture.
