Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies

Name: Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 sticks butter (melted); 1 cup oil; 2 Eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies are a favorite here in the south. It’s an old-fashioned recipe that’s a perfect treat for something sweet. These are by far our favorite cookies and are great for a snack, dessert, or even as a gift. They are made with just a few simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry–sugar, butter, eggs, oil, vanilla, flour, and some odds and ends. So easy!

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Tea Cake Cookies on a wire rack with text overlay.

What Are Old Fashioned Tea Cakes

Southern tea cakes are buttery cookies that begin with a simple recipe. Tea Cake Cookies are small, crispy cookies baked till they are golden brown. I bet you can’t eat just one, especially warm from the oven! I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine does and you make them a favorite in your own home.

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Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies on a baking rack with text overlay.

This is by far the best tea cake recipe around. This recipe belonged to my mother-in-law. She would make several big batches of these cookies every month. To say the least, they were a favorite among all of us.

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Shortly after I married (over 30 years ago), my husband was activated (he was in the Marines) and sent to the Gulf War. He spent the first six months of our marriage overseas in another country. During this time, I sent many care packages to him with mostly prepackaged foods and snacks. But my mother-in-law would always bake a big batch of Tea Cake Cookies and slip them into the box for him. Just a little taste of home. He always looked forward to these care packages, mostly tea cakes.

Tea Cake Cookies stacked up with text overlay. — Tea Cake Cookies

She passed away about 10 years ago, and her recipe has sat in a tin box until now. Over the weekend, I decided to get her recipe out and try my hand at making her tea cake cookies. As you can see from the picture, the recipe is old, worn, and has been loved for many years.

Tea Cake Cookies recipe on old paper with an old recipe box and text overlay. — Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies

The Tea Cakes were wonderful. They tasted just like my mother-in-law’s tea cake cookies. They certainly brought back a lot of sweet memories.

I know this recipe is at least 35+ years old. These Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies have been in our family for years and are still a favorite. I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine does.

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Ingredients Needed for the Best Tea Cake Cookies

Ingredients needed for southern tea cake cookies with text overlay.

This traditional southern tea cake recipe has been in my family for years. Southerners have a way of taking butter and sugar and turning it into a masterpiece. In this case, these cookies are perfectly crunchy simple cookies.

With just a few basic ingredients, you can have these old-fashioned tea cakes mixed and in the oven in no time.

Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Butter
Oil
Eggs
Pure Vanilla Extract
Flour
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Cream of Tartar

Instructions for Making Tea Cake Cookies

Although no electric mixer is needed, feel free to pull it out if so desired. This recipe is mixed by hand and so easy to do.

In a large bowl, mix sugars, butter, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients- flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cream of tartar. Stir well.
Slowly stir the flour mixture into the wet sugar mixture. Mix well.
Using a cookie scoop, dip out the dough and place it on greased cookie sheets — space at least 2 inches apart.
With a fork, press gently to flatten the cookies, or use the bottom of a glass for a smoother top. Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until brown and crispy on the bottom. Cool slightly.

Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cake Cookies showing some steps and ingredients with text overlay.

Tips for Making Southern Tea Cake Cookies

I use King Arthur Flour to bake these cookies. Use your favorite brand.

You might use parchment paper to line the baking pans.

I like to grease my baking sheet, but if you want, parchment paper would also work.

Swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract.

For this recipe, I bake two cookie sheets at a time. One is on the middle rack of the oven, and one is on top. Depending on how fast your oven cooks, I may swap out the pans halfway through the cooking time.
Use the bottom of a glass to slightly mash the cookies for a smooth top, or use a fork for a more textured cookie.

Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies on a wire rack with text overlay.

What to Serve with Old-Fashioned Tea Cakes

These tea cakes are paired perfectly with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee. Feel free to have a cup of tea with your cookies.

Where to Serve These True Southern Tea Cake Cookies

These cookies are a favorite in the Deep South and are served for all occasions. They are perfect for desserts and have been served at baby showers, bridal showers, cookouts, gatherings, and anywhere you might serve cookies.

For another cookie option, try my Texas Sheet Cake Cookies. They are also a tasty treat.

How to Store Leftover Tea Cakes

Allow cookies to cool to room temperature. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. These are perfect for a (sealed) cookie jar and would be perfect as a gift.

For more Cookie Recipes, be sure to check out:

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

Soft and Chewy M&M Sugar Cookies

Best Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies

For More Southern Recipes:

Southern Buttermilk Pie

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Southern Tomato Pie

Southern Sweet Tea