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Emergency Southern Tea Cakes

Emergency Southern Tea CakesI made Southern Tea Cakes the other day, and they instantly put a smile on my face. Are you familiar with these crisp-edged treats? They are lightning-fast to make. You can make them in a “gotta-have-something-sweet” emergency, just as I did. And you can mix them entirely by hand, just as I did. Furthermore, you can eat way too many of them, just as I did. Here’s the video how-to, along with a historical note and the printable recipe:

Historical note. Southern Tea Cakes (which really are cookies) are an integral part of African-American food culture. This from the December 21, 1997 issue of The Los Angeles Times: 

Culinary historians say the cookie may have been slaves’ version of the English tea cake. With very little provisions, those enslaved Africans took what was available and made their own version.

Tea cakes became a treasure–comfort food that became a special treat during the holidays.

And here, in the same Times article, is Maya Angelou’s tea cake memory:

“When I was a lonely, scared and scarred eight year old, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, a lean, Black teacher invited me to her house and made tea cakes. The aroma of the freshly baked cookies merged with the rich sound of her voice as she read to me.”

Going forward, I shall think of the late, great Maya Angelou every time I make these Southern Tea Cakes. Which will be often. (Update: I made another batch last night.)

Hungry for more? Get my email updates.

Looking for other fast cookies? Check out these (gluten-free) Emergency Peanut Butter Cookies.

As promised, here’s the printable recipe:

Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Emergency Southern Tea Cakes

Here's the easiest -- and also the best -- version of Southern Tea Cakes I've encountered.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Course: cookies
Cuisine: African-American
Keyword: easy, fast, historic
Servings: 24

Ingredients

  • 1 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour (see note below)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Put the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and self-rising flour in a medium mixing bowl. Mix by hand or by spoon until a cohesive dough forms and cleans the bowl.
  • Form the dough into tablespoon-size balls, spacing them three inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. The cookies will spread as they bake, so plan 8 balls per baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the edge of the "cakes" color slightly -- 15-20 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack for further cooling. The cookies will hold their shape when they achieve room temperature.

Notes

To make your own self-rising flour:
For each cup of all-purpose flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk to combine.   

 

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | August 8, 2020 17 Comments

Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Vlog: We Rescued A Sick Feral Kitten

Comments

  1. 1

    Sandra says

    August 9, 2020 at 8:51 am

    Oh my they look good. So glad you gave the ingredients for self rising flour to make at home so I can make these today without having to go shopping. Love your treats. I always succeed with your recipes. Simple and delicious. xo

  2. 2

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    August 9, 2020 at 8:58 am

    Hi Sandra – Hope you enjoy these cookies!

  3. 3

    Anne Hilofsky says

    August 9, 2020 at 9:36 am

    You always brighten my day! Thank you for the love and support you send to the world. Mr. Fox is indeed fortunate.

    Now I’m off to talk to my petunias and mix up some tea cakes.

    anne

  4. 4

    Louise says

    August 9, 2020 at 10:36 am

    The history lesson was wonderful, as is the recipe. Thank you. Stay safe.

  5. 5

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    August 9, 2020 at 11:09 am

    Hi Anne – Let me know how the tea cakes work out for you!

    Hi Louise – Glad you enjoyed the history lesson. I hope to learn more about the origin of the cookies.

  6. 6

    Joan Sims says

    August 9, 2020 at 11:21 am

    Hi Kevin – I read your great recipes from time to time and think they are great. My question is (I’m in Canada) where does one ever find Petit Fours? I’ve searched many bakeries around, and most don’t know what I am talking about. I don’t want the “recipe books” – I would just like to find some to purchase in this country.

  7. 7

    SarahBeth says

    August 9, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    Looks great. Thanks Kevin for the secret ingredients for self rising flour. I’ve never made anything with it because I don’t have it in my pantry. I have no place to store one more type of flour. Now I know!

  8. 8

    Anne H says

    August 9, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    Had a Paint a Peace Pole gathering with my daughters and granddaughters today. Tea cakes were a real hit. I made them slightly smaller (used teaspoon instead of tablespoon of dough). That way there were more to send home with family. Thanks again for sharing with us.

  9. 9

    Carol says

    August 9, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    For the lady asking about Petit Fours I’ve attached a site giving the history of them. They’re little cakes

    https://www.swisscolony.com/blog/bakery/petits-fours-luscious-little-layer-cakes

  10. 10

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    August 9, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    Hi Joan – I have a Petit Fours recipe right here on this blog! Click here to see it: Petit Fours with White Chocolate Glaze.

    Hi SarahBeth – You’re so welcome. Enjoy the tea cakes!

    Hi Anne H – So glad the cakes were a hit for you and yours!

    Hi Carol – Thanks for providing a link for Joan. I love how readers here look out for each other!

  11. 11

    Shirley says

    August 9, 2020 at 4:46 pm

    5 stars
    Oh so excited to be receiving your recipes and garden tips, this is my first one. Thanks

  12. 12

    Shirley says

    August 9, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    Can I use less sugar in the cakes?

  13. 13

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    August 10, 2020 at 8:40 am

    Hi Shirley – Welcome aboard! I know these tea cakes are wonderful when made as described. Not sure how they would work out if the sugar quantity is reduced.

  14. 14

    Carol says

    August 11, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    I made these, LOVE them and sooo easy to make. I shipped them up while making dinner. I wanted to add chocolate chips but didn’t have any, so I threw in some walnut pieces. Nummy, I love the little bit of crunch.
    With the next batch, I’m going to add some lemon zest for fun.

    Mine didn’t turn out as flat as yours, Kevin probably because I’d my homemade quick rise measurements. How much powder for the half cup? Lol

    Thanks again Kevin for your recipe jewels.

  15. 15

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    August 11, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    Hi Carol – I’m soooo glad the cookies worked out for you!

  16. 16

    Myra says

    August 17, 2020 at 11:07 pm

    5 stars
    I have tried many of your wonderful recipes and have loved each and every one of them! Tomorrow I will make the Italian Pasta Salad! I’ve gotten some of the ingredients together, sitting on my kitchen counter, ready to be put together. I think you and your husband are very fine people. When I read your story about how the two of you helped that poor little helpless kitten, it warmed my heart more than you could ever know! Kindness to animals is, to me, one of the highest qualities a person can possess. You’re a very good, kind and giving person and I love hearing stories like this one! I wish more people would be so kind. Kudos to you and Mr. Fox. Thank you! I will comment on the pasta salad soon!

  17. 17

    Sally Quinn says

    September 20, 2020 at 10:05 pm

    This is just an answer to petit fours question – check out Vermont Country Store to by them.

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