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It’s a week before Thanksgiving and it’s shockingly snowing in the DC area. I’m not a fan of snow, not even a little bit, but it was a perfect day to hunker down inside and bake! This year I have to work on Thanksgiving Day, but that doesn’t mean my heart won’t be with my family. This week I decided to make something my lovely grandmother would make for me when I was younger, Old Fashioned Tea Cakes. I still have fond memories of enjoying these tasty treats. On the day she taught me how to make these cookies in her warm kitchen, always filled with love, I somehow knew this was a recipe I would carry with me for the rest of my life.

These delectable little cookies are super simple to make with ingredients you’re most likely to have on any given day in your pantry. I tend to always have sugar, butter, and flour and the idea that I can quickly make a sweet snack with kitchen basics really makes me happy. My grandmother always talks about making do with what you have. There have been times when I am following a recipe and realize I don’t have a certain ingredient. It’s the worst feeling in the world to find out you’re one ingredient short from the perfect execution of a recipe. My grandmother always knows how to make up for what’s missing and making the dish better than before. It’s a trait I strive for. It’s a trait that saves me from running to the store for that one small missing ingredient. Her wisdom in the kitchen is something I aim to mimic with every recipe I try.

Personally, I enjoy these with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa and they are best fresh out of the oven. While normally I’d expect these tea cakes to be more golden brown in hue, they usually turn out pretty light in color. Don’t let that convince you the cookies aren’t done. They are easy to overcook so staying in the 7 to 12-minute window is important depending on your oven. Tea cakes during this snowy November afternoon was a perfect reminder of my family and a delightful treat! Happy baking, everyone!

MawMaw’s Old Fashioned Tea Cakes

What You Need:

• 2 ½ cups sifted flour
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. baking powder
• ½ cup butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Instructions:
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• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a sheet pan.
• Cream butter and sugar until smooth in a stand-up mixer.
• Add beaten eggs and vanilla flavoring until well mixed.
• Combine sifted flour, salt, and baking powder together in a separate bowl.
• Once the eggs, butter, sugar, and flavoring are mixed until smooth, in small increments add the flour mixture to the bowl.
• Mix well until a dough is formed.
• Pinch off small balls of dough. Roll into balls and press flat on the sheet pan.
• Bake for 7-12 minutes until lightly golden brown.
• Place on a cooling rack to cool.
• Serve and enjoy!

Cook With Me:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a sheet pan.
• Cream butter and sugar until smooth in a stand-up mixer.
• Add beaten eggs and vanilla flavoring until well mixed.
• Combine sifted flour, salt, and baking powder together in a separate bowl.
• Once the eggs, butter, sugar, and flavoring are mixed until smooth, in small increments add the flour mixture to the bowl.
• Mix well until a dough is formed.
  

  
• Pinch off small balls of dough. Roll into balls and press flat on the sheet pan.
• Bake for 7-12 minutes until lightly golden brown.
• Place on a cooling rack to cool.
• Serve and enjoy!