20 Teacake Recipes for Afternoon Tea
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A teacake is a classic treat for English Afternoon Tea, but appearances and tastes vary from region to region. Learn the differences between teacakes served in England, Sweden, Australia, India, and the United States. Then try delicious teacake recipes to serve for teatime.
Afternoon tea is synonymous with teacakes. In fact, many of my British friends say that there is nothing better than a toasted bun filled with juicy currants and sultanas, covered in butter and served with a cup of tea. And I would wholeheartedly agree.
In the United States, teacakes take on a decidedly unique form. These traditional "cakes," in whatever form or region they are served, are delicious and perfect with a warm cup tea. Let's take a look at what these sweet treats are.
What are Teacakes?
An English teacake is often a yeast-based sweet bun containing dried fruit, typically served toasted and buttered. But in the U.S., teacakes can be cookies or small mini cakes. In Sweden, they are often flat, sweetened wheat bread served for buttered ham or cheese sandwiches. In India and Australia, a teacake is more like a pound cake.
Variations by Region
Let's explore the similarities and variations by region in a bit more depth.
England
In most of England, a teacake is a light and sweet, yeasted bun containing dried fruits like currants and sultanas. It's typically served split, toasted, and buttered. Although in East Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire and Cumbria, a "currant teacake" is distinguished from plain bread rolls.
Yorkshire tea cakes, on the other hand, are now more than a reference to it's location. Much like Chelsea buns and Bath buns, they are defined as a traditional teatime offering instead of by its region.
Sweden and Finland
In Sweden, the word for teacake (tekaka) refers to a sweetened wheat yeast bread. In Finland there is a similar dish called teeleipä.
United States
In the United States, teacakes are traditionally large, densely textured cookies often made with sugar, butter, eggs, flour, milk, and flavoring.
Australia/India
In Australia and India, this classic teatime offering is typically a butter cake, otherwise known as a pound cake. Ingredients often consist of flour, eggs, butter, cinnamon and sugar and served warm from the oven with additional butter and tea.
Teacake Recipes for Afternoon Tea
Paul Hollywood's Teacakes
"These large, soft, sweet and fruity teacakes are quite different from their shop-bought counterparts, which can have a dry, cotton-woolly texture and disappointing flavour. They are very good when they have just come out of the oven, but even better the next day – split, toasted and slathered in butter."
Classic Bath Buns Recipe
"Hailing from the Roman city of Bath, the buns are best served with jam and cream – and a pot of tea, of course."
Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes
"Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes is a classic, vintage recipe. It’s a bit of a cross between a cookie and cake, not too sweet, and utterly delicious. Tea cakes are the perfect ending to any meal or a great mid-afternoon snack with coffee, tea, or milk."
Eggless Mawa Sooji Teacake Recipe
"Eggless Mawa Rava Cake is a gorgeous tea cake full of Indian flavours."
Easy Vanilla Tea Cake Cookies
Vanilla Tea Cake Cookies are a simple buttery, soft vanilla tea cookies perfect for afternoon tea. Much like Scottish Shortbread, the ingredients are simple, but the texture and vanilla flavors are deliciously unforgettable.
Earl Grey Teacakes Recipe
"Fruit buns flavoured with aromatic tea and orange to be served toasted with lashings of butter."
Easy Tea Cakes Recipe
"These tea cakes are a classic Southern teatime treat, with cakey centers and crunchy edges. They’re simplicity on a plate, with no fancy ingredients, and they store well for a relatively long time. They look like cookies but are called cakes; no matter what you call them, they’re delicious, and they’re easy to make on short notice. Bake a double batch and freeze some for later, so you can have them ready for guests on short notice."
Yorkshire Teacakes
"These fruit-filled teacakes are a great favourite across the region and are best served split, toasted and spread with butter – delicious!"
Australian Cinnamon Tea Cake
A delicious light and tender Cinnamon Tea Cake.
Swedish Tekaka (Teacakes in a Pan)
"These tea cookies are a simple bread in a long pan that gives you deliciously juicy and soft pieces of bread. It's also smooth and easy when you just press the dough into a pan and bake in one round. Feel free to serve the tea cakes with a good cheese or marmalade."
Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe: A Delicious Tea-Time Treat
"Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself to something sweet, the Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe is the perfect choice. And for those looking to add a festive touch, consider adding some additional decorations to turn this classic cake into a Christmas masterpiece. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!"
Irish Barmbrack Tea Cake
Irish Barmbrack Tea Cake is an utterly delicious, speckled tea bread, much like Irish Freckle Bread, that’s moist, tender, and perfect for teatime, snacks, or breakfast. It is an irresistible loaf that’s quicker and lighter than Christmas bread and is often served in October.
Hot Cross Buns
It isn't Easter without Hot Crossed Buns. You can buy them, but they'll never be as good as those you make yourself! Here's how...
Finnish Cardamom Tea Cake
"Finnish Cardamom Tea Cake is a soft and moist cake, perfect for tea time."
Anytime Almond Tea Cakes
These Almond Tea Cakes are delicate, buttery, light and tender treats, perfect for tea parties, afternoon snacks, or anytime you’re craving a sweet bite. Simple to make in a muffin tin for now or make ahead for later.
Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe
This easy Lemon Drizzle Cake is a beautiful recipe, perfect for days when you're craving a decadently tender dessert with abundant lemon flavoring. Or when you're looking for a traditional tea cake you know everyone will love.
Easy Berry Topped Pound Cake Recipe
This easy berry-topped Pound Cake recipe takes inspiration from a classic pound cake but simplifies the ingredients and method to create an easy-to-make, rich, buttery, and tender cake you won’t soon forget!
Mini Lavender Earl Grey Tea Cakes
"These delightful Lavender Earl Grey Tea Cakes combine floral and citrus notes in a soft, tender mini bundt cake dessert. They’re perfect for afternoon tea, a garden party, or a sweet finish to any meal."
Lavender Tea Bread
This Lavender Tea Bread is a moist and sweet tea loaf, perfect for afternoon tea or simply to celebrate when the lavender blooms. Delightfully rich with butter and lavender cream, and unforgettable with the vanilla flavoring.
Crumpet Recipe for Breakfast or Teatime
This Crumpet recipe is easy to make at home for teatime, breakfast, or anytime you’re in the mood for crumpets and tea (or coffee). If you can make pancakes, you can make your own crumpets. And yes, most decidedly, serve them with tea!
More Teatime Recipes to Enjoy
You will find all of my afternoon tea posts on this page, including favorite tea recipes for finger sandwiches, tea scones, tea savories, and tea sweets.
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