18 Recipe For Southern Style Tea Cakes You Must Try Them!

Published on: Apr 6, 2024

Southern style tea cakes are a beloved classic in the American South, with roots tracing back to the early settlers who brought over their traditional tea cake recipes from England. These simple yet delicious treats have stood the test of time and continue to be a staple in Southern kitchens. Whether served with a warm cup of tea or enjoyed as an afternoon snack, these delicate and buttery cookies are sure to please. In this article, we will share with you our recipe for the perfect Southern style tea cakes.

Jump to Recipe

1 of 20

Southern Sweet Tea

Main Ingredients: Water, Tea Bags, Sugar, Lemons, Fresh Mint

Celebrate National Hammock Day with Our Southern Sweet Tea Recipe + a ...

One of the staples of Southern cuisine is sweet tea. This refreshing drink is perfect for a hot summer day and pairs perfectly with a beer can chicken. The combination of the sweet tea and the savory chicken creates a mouthwatering flavor explosion in every bite.

2 of 20

Southern Tea Cakes

Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Nutmeg

Deep South Old-Fashioned Tea Cakes Recipe | Divas Can Cook

Southern Tea Cakes - Love Bakes Good Cakes

Southern Tea Cakes - Immaculate Bites Tea Cookies Recipe, No Egg ...

Tea cakes are a classic Southern dessert that has been passed down for generations. These simple, buttery cookies are the perfect accompaniment to a cold glass of sweet tea. Serve them alongside your beer can chicken for a sweet and satisfying end to your meal.

3 of 20

Southern Tea Cakes

Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Eggs, Sugar

For a more traditional take on tea cakes, try this old fashioned recipe. These cookies are made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter, but the end result is a deliciously crisp and buttery treat. Perfect for dunking in your sweet tea while enjoying your beer can chicken.

4 of 20

Old Fashioned Tea Cakes

Main Ingredients: Self Rising Flour, Sugar, Salt, Eggs, Oil, Milk

Granna’s Old-Fashioned Tea Cakes | Tea cakes recipes, Old fashioned tea ...

Nanny's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes | Recipe | Tea cakes recipes, Tea cake ...

Old Fashioned Tea Cakes - loulousucre | Recipe | Tea cakes, Old ...

This recipe for tea cakes has been in Mama Reed's family for generations. These cookies are soft, chewy, and full of flavor thanks to the addition of vanilla and lemon zest. Enjoy them with a hot cup of tea or a cold glass of sweet tea alongside your beer can chicken.

5 of 20

Mama Reed’s Tea Cakes

Main Ingredients: Butter, Sugar, Eggs, Self Rising Flour, Vanilla

Apple tea cake | Apple tea cake, Tea cakes, Cooking

Mama Reed’s Vanilla Wafer Cake Recipe - Southern Plate

Tea Cake / Sponge Cake | Tea cakes recipes, Sponge cake recipes, Tea cakes

What's a Southern meal without cornbread? This classic side dish is a must-have when serving beer can chicken. This recipe for Southern skillet cornbread is easy to make and produces a moist and flavorful bread that pairs perfectly with the flavors of the chicken.

6 of 20

Southern Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread

Main Ingredients: Butter, Yellow Cornmeal, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt

Southern Skillet Cornbread Recipe | The Gracious Wife

Southern Skillet Cornbread - A Pinch of Healthy

Southern Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread | Recipe | Southern ...

This recipe for sweet tea comes from Juanita, a Southern grandma known for her delicious cooking. Her sweet tea is the perfect balance of sweetness and tea flavor, making it the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken. Plus, it's simple and easy to make!

7 of 20

Juanita's Sweet Tea - Southern Sweet Tea

Main Ingredients: Boiling Water, Tea Bag, Granulated Sugar, Cold Water

Traditional Southern Iced Sweet Tea | Orchids + Sweet Tea

Love and Confections: Simple Southern Sweet Tea + A Virtual Baby Shower

Southern Sweet Tea | The Kitchen is My Playground

Johnny cakes, also known as hoe cakes, are a Southern staple. These simple cornmeal cakes are fried to perfection and make a great side dish for your beer can chicken. Serve them with a dollop of butter and a drizzle of honey for a sweet and savory treat.

8 of 20

Southern Johnny Cakes (Hoe Cakes)

Main Ingredients: Flour, Cornmeal, Eggs, Baking Powder, Sugar, Salt

Johnny Cakes Recipe (Hoe Cakes or Fried Cornbread) - Grandbaby Cakes

SOUTHERN FRIED CORNBREAD | Fried cornbread, Johnny cakes recipe, Hoe cakes

Easy Southern Hoecakes (Johnny Cakes) ) | gritsandpinecones.com ...

If you love tea cakes but don't want to take the time to roll out and cut cookies, try this recipe for tea cake cookies. The dough is rolled into balls and flattened before baking, making the process a little easier. These cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for dipping in your sweet tea.

9 of 20

Southern Tea Cake Cookies

Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Nutmeg, Unsalted

MAKE THESE SOUTHERN TEA CAKE COOKIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Crockpot Girl

The BEST Southern Tea Cakes Recipe ONLINE - Grandbaby Cakes

Authentic Southern Tea Cakes Recipe | Cookies and Cups

This classic Southern dish is perfect for a Sunday dinner or a special occasion. Smothered chicken is made by cooking chicken in a savory gravy until it is tender and falling off the bone. Serve it alongside your beer can chicken for a hearty and delicious meal.

10 of 20

Southern Smothered Chicken

Main Ingredients: Chicken, All Purpose Flour, Salt, Ground Black Pepper

Honestly Easy Smothered Chicken | FaveSouthernRecipes.com

Southern Smothered Chicken and Gravy - Cooks with Soul

Cornbread dressing is a staple at any Southern holiday meal. This recipe combines crumbled cornbread, vegetables, and herbs to create a flavorful and comforting side dish. Serve it with your beer can chicken for a complete and satisfying meal.

11 of 20

Southern Cornbread Dressing

Main Ingredients: Cornbread, Medium Onion, Celery, Butter, Condensed

Southern Cornbread Dressing - Home. Made. Interest.

Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing - Grace and Good Eats

The Best Southern Cornbread Dressing - Everyday Eileen

Collard greens are a Southern favorite and pair perfectly with beer can chicken. This recipe is simple and easy to make, with just a few ingredients like bacon, onion, and chicken broth. The end result is a tender and flavorful side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

12 of 20

Southern Collard Greens

Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Olive Oil, Onion, Garlic, Kosher Salt

Southern Collard Greens | RecipeLion.com

Vegan Southern-Style Collard Greens - Healthier Steps

Southern Collard Greens | NeighborFood

If you're looking for a unique and flavorful dish to pair with your beer can chicken, try these smothered oxtails. This traditional Southern dish is made by cooking tender oxtails in a savory gravy until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. Serve them alongside your chicken for a meal that will impress your guests.

13 of 20

Southern Smothered Oxtails

Main Ingredients: Oxtails, All Purpose Flour, Worcestershire Sauce

southern styled oxtails – 99easyrecipes

Southern Smothered Oxtails | Recipe | Cooking oxtails, Oxtail recipes ...

Southern Slow Cooker Smothered Oxtails | I Heart Recipes | Recipe ...

No Southern meal is complete without a batch of homemade biscuits. This recipe produces a classic flaky biscuit that is perfect for serving with your beer can chicken. Slather them with butter and honey for a delicious side dish that will have everyone coming back for more.

14 of 20

Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits

Main Ingredients: Flour, Whole Milk, Butter, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt

How to Make Layered Southern Biscuits - Little Figgy Food

Flaky, Fluffy Southern Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe | Girl Vs Dough

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken. This recipe for Southern baked mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-delicious. Serve it alongside your chicken for a meal that will warm your soul.

15 of 20

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Main Ingredients: Macaroni, Eggs, Heavy Cream, Milk, Pepper, Salt

Southern Baked Macaroni & Cheese! - My Incredible Recipes

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Good macaroni and cheese recipe ...

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Mac and cheese recipe soul food ...

If you're a fan of pecan pie, you'll love these Southern pecan pie bars. These bars have all the flavors of a traditional pecan pie, but in a convenient and easy-to-eat bar form. Serve them as a sweet treat after your beer can chicken for a satisfying end to your meal.

16 of 20

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Flour, Evaporated Milk, Half And Half

Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese. - Half Baked Harvest

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese - THIS IS NOT DIET FOOD

Easy Recipe: Perfect Best Baked Mac And Cheese - Pioneer Woman Recipes ...

Peach cobbler is a classic Southern dessert that is perfect for pairing with a beer can chicken. This recipe is made with fresh peaches, cinnamon, and a buttery crust for a sweet and delicious treat. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

17 of 20

Southern Pecan Pie Bars

Main Ingredients: Crust, Eggs, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Vanilla, Butter, Salt

Easy Southern Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust - The Country Cook

Classic Southern Pecan Pie Bars - Maria's Kitchen

If you're craving seafood, these Southern style crab cakes are the perfect pairing for your beer can chicken. Made with fresh lump crab meat and seasoned with Old Bay and other herbs and spices, these crab cakes are full of flavor and make a great side dish for your meal.

18 of 20

Southern Peach Cobbler!

Main Ingredients: Butter, Sugar, Peaches, Lemon Juice, All Purpose Flour

Easy Southern Peach Cobbler - Love Bakes Good Cakes

Southern Peach Cobbler - Best Recipe EVER! - Merry About Town

Collard greens are a staple in Southern cooking and make a great side dish for beer can chicken. This classic recipe for collard greens is made with bacon, onion, and chicken broth for a flavorful and tender dish. Serve it with your chicken for a complete and satisfying meal.

19 of 20

Southern Style Crab Cakes

Main Ingredients: Lump Crab Meat, Unsalted Butter, Yellow Onion, Poblano

Easy Southern Style Blue Crab Cakes | gritsandpinecones.com | Recipe in ...

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com

Crab Cakes with Jalapeño Aioli | Karen's Kitchen Stories

Sweet potato casserole is a must-have at any Southern holiday meal. This recipe combines mashed sweet potatoes with a buttery, brown sugar and pecan topping for a sweet and delicious side dish. Serve it with your beer can chicken for a complete and satisfying meal.

20 of 20

Classic Southern Collard Greens

Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Water, Smoked Ham Hock, Chicken

Feasting on Fitness: Southern Cooking Classic: Collard Greens

SOUTHERN-STYLE COLLARD GREENS classic slow-cooked Southern side - Eats ...

If you're looking for a different way to prepare your chicken, try this recipe for buttermilk fried chicken. The chicken is marinated in buttermilk and coated in a flavorful breading before being fried to crispy perfection. Serve it with your beer can chicken for a delicious and indulgent meal.

Ingredients

Boldly Flavored Tea

To make the best Southern style tea cakes, you'll need a strong tea that can hold its own against the rich, buttery taste of the cookies. Some popular options include Earl Grey, English Breakfast, or even a spicy Chai tea for an added kick of flavor.

Butter and Sugar

Butter is the key ingredient in these tea cakes, giving them their rich and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Make sure to use unsalted butter and bring it to room temperature before using it in the recipe. Granulated sugar is also essential for achieving the perfect level of sweetness in these cookies.

All-Purpose Flour

The main component of any cookie recipe, all-purpose flour is a must for creating the right consistency and texture in your tea cakes. Be sure to measure your flour accurately for best results.

Eggs and Vanilla Extract

Eggs provide structure and moisture to the cookies, while vanilla extract adds a subtle and delicious flavor that complements the other ingredients. Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.

Salt and Baking Powder

A pinch of salt and a teaspoon of baking powder are important for balancing the sweetness of the cookies and ensuring they rise properly in the oven.

Instructions

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process helps to incorporate air into the mixture, resulting in a lighter and softer cookie.

Step 2: Add in the Eggs and Vanilla Extract

Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add in the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Sift in the Flour, Salt, and Baking Powder

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough to firm up and make it easier to roll out.

Step 5: Roll out and Cut the Dough

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out your desired shapes and place them on a lined baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake and Enjoy

Bake the tea cakes for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with a warm cup of tea and enjoy!

Conclusion

Now that you have our tried and true recipe for Southern style tea cakes, it's time to put on your apron and get baking! These cookies make a perfect treat for any occasion and are sure to become a favorite in your household. So gather your ingredients, follow our easy instructions, and indulge in the delicious taste of the South.