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Judy John

Simple Tea Cake Recipe

This simple tea cake recipe creates buttery soft cake with delicate sweetness and tender texture for cozy homemade desserts.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290

Ingredients
  

Tea Cake Batter
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 pieces eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest optional

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven
  • Cake Pan
  • Cooling Rack
  • Freezer
  • Hand Mixer
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy with pale smooth texture throughout mixture completely.
  2. Add eggs individually while mixing slowly for silky batter without lumps forming during preparation.
  3. Stir milk and vanilla into mixture gently until evenly combined with smooth consistency remaining.
  4. Fold flour carefully through batter until soft thick texture forms without overmixing heavily afterward.
  5. Spread batter evenly inside prepared cake pan and smooth top neatly before baking completely.
  6. Bake cake until golden with lightly crisp edges and tender fluffy center fully cooked beautifully.
  7. Cool tea cake completely on rack before slicing for cleaner presentation and softer texture later.
  8. Dust with powdered sugar before serving warm buttery slices beside coffee or tea afterward.

Notes

Bake slightly less for softer moist texture or longer for firmer slices with crispier edges. Freeze extra cake slices separately inside airtight containers for quick desserts during busy weeks. Handle cooled cake gently while slicing to prevent crumbling across tender centers. Add lemon zest, berries, or warm spices for flavor customization. Store leftovers tightly covered up to four days for freshness.