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Tea Cakes

Soft sugar cookies are the best thing to make for any holiday celebration. These traditional Southern Tea Cakes are the perfect not-too-sweet-but-so-delicious cookies. The lightly sweetened dough puffs up in the oven and holds its shape beautifully, so these cookies are perfect to pair with sweet Easy Sugar Cookie Icing. Whether you're hosting a cookie decorating party or baking for July 4th, All-Butter Tea Cake Cookies are a family favorite.

Prep Time
1 hr 10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 52 cookies
Calories: 52 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened (1 stick)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Easy Sugar Cookie Icing

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the softened butter, sugar, vanilla, egg, milk and vinegar in a large bowl.
  2. Use a hand mixer, stand mixer or a whisk to blend the ingredients together until smooth and incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together into another bowl. Whisk until combined. 
  4. Sprinkle the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, gently mixing with the hand or stand mixer, and stirring until just combined.
  5. Stretch a long piece of plastic wrap out on the countertop. Dollop the cookie dough into it, and carefully wrap the plastic around it. Press into a round shape. 
  6. Chill the dough in refrigerator for 1-2 hours. (You can refrigerate the dough overnight, as well, but you'll need to take it out 30-45 minutes before rolling because the dough is challenging to roll out when it's super cold.)
  7. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat, and set aside.
  8. Flour a flat surface. 
  9. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 1/2" thick round, then cut into shapes using cookie cutters. (We love these snowflake ones and this set.) Transfer the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet.
  10. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies have firmed up. You do not want them to brown.
  11. Transfer to a wire cooling rack.
  12. Once the cookies have completely cooled, ice with Easy Sugar Cookie Icing (or your favorite sugar cookie frosting), sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles (and other decorations!) and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Serving 12" cookie Calories 52kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 2g (3%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 9mg (3%) Sodium 43mg (2%) Sugar 4g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 52cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 52

% Daily Value*

Serving 12" cookie
Calories 52kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 43mg 2%
Sugar 4g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.