5 Delightful Tea Cake Recipes

Welcome to the wonderful world of tea cakes! These delectable treats have been gracing afternoon tea tables and comforting souls for generations. Today, we’re embarking on a delicious adventure through five unique tea cake recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your heart.

1. Traditional English Tea Cakes

Ah, the classic English tea cake! These soft, slightly sweet buns are a staple in British tea time traditions. I remember my grandmother pulling these out of the oven, the aroma of warm, buttery goodness filling the air.

Ingredients:

• 450g all-purpose flour
• 50g sugar
• 7g instant yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 50g butter, softened
• 250ml warm milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 100g currants or raisins

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. Add softened butter and rub into the flour mixture.
3. Gradually add warm milk and beaten egg, mixing to form a soft dough.
4. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Fold in the currants or raisins.
6. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
7. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape into rounds.
8. Place on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Tip: Serve these warm with a generous spread of butter and your favorite jam. Heaven!

2. Zesty Lemon Tea Cakes

Let’s add a burst of sunshine to our tea time with these zesty lemon tea cakes. The bright, citrusy flavor is like a ray of light on a cloudy day.

Ingredients:

• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 200g caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• 200g self-raising flour
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Juice of 1 lemon

For the glaze:

• 100g powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4. Fold in flour, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
5. Divide batter among muffin cups.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
7. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
8. Drizzle glaze over cooled cakes.

Tip: For an extra lemony kick, poke a few holes in the warm cakes and brush with lemon syrup before glazing.

3. Indulgent Chocolate Chip Tea Cakes

Who says tea cakes can’t be a little indulgent? These chocolate chip tea cakes are perfect for those moments when you need a little extra comfort.

Ingredients:

• 225g unsalted butter, softened
• 200g brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 250g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 200g chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown.

Tip: For a gooey center, slightly underbake these delightful treats. They’ll continue cooking as they cool.

4. Elegant Matcha Green Tea Cakes

Transport yourself to a serene Japanese tea garden with these sophisticated matcha green tea cakes. The earthy, slightly bitter flavor of matcha pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the cake.

Ingredients:

• 200g all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp matcha powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 150g unsalted butter, softened
• 150g sugar
• 2 eggs
• 120ml milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease a 9-inch cake pan.
2. Whisk together flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time.
5. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
6. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Tip: Dust with extra matcha powder for a beautiful presentation and enhanced flavor.

5. Aromatic Spiced Chai Tea Cakes

Let’s finish our tea cake journey with these warmly spiced chai tea cakes. The blend of aromatic spices will fill your kitchen with the most inviting scent.

Ingredients:

• 250g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp chai spice mix (cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves)
• 150g unsalted butter, softened
• 150g sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 120ml strong brewed chai tea, cooled

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chai spice mix.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
5. Alternately add flour mixture and chai tea to the butter mixture.
6. Divide batter among muffin cups.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Tip: Serve these with a steaming cup of chai for the ultimate tea time experience!

There you have it, five delightful tea cake recipes to suit every mood and occasion. From the traditional to the exotic, these treats are sure to elevate your tea time to new heights. Remember, baking is an art of love and patience. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make these recipes your own.

So, what are you waiting for? Put the kettle on, preheat that oven, and let’s get baking!

Happy tea time, everyone!