I have to be honest, when Sister Marie told me she would be sharing her Southern Tea Cake recipe, I thought she said “Southern Cheesecake Recipe”. My initial reaction was “Yes! I love cheesecake!”. She kindly repeated herself and we both had a pretty good laugh.
Sometimes we just hear what we want to hear, am I right?
There was also a moment where I thought to myself, “If it was a cheesecake recipe, would I make it?” Cheesecake is delicious, but in my opinion, difficult to make.
Keep in mind, I’m a much better cook than I am a baker.
The inquisitive voice within me (Holy Spirit) led me on a quest for the history of Southern Tea Cakes. Stay with me on this my sisters.
The origin very much like the recipe itself, is simple. In its humble beginning, a tea cake originated in England where these small yeast-based biscuit or cake-like pastries were served during tea time. There are other variations of tea cakes across the world in places like Sweden, India and Australia where the consistency is more like a sponge cake. Over the years, English tea cakes eventually evolved to the recipe we are sharing today, the Southern Tea Cake!
In the rural South during much simpler but also very difficult times, rations were meager and cupboards were barely filled with minimal items. They contained no more than the very basics. An adaption of the recipe in the U.S. (sugar, butter, eggs, flour, milk, and sometimes- flavoring) gave the Southern Tea Cake the appearance of a dense large cookie. Because of the most basic of ingredients and the deliciousness of the finished treat, tea cakes were ideal to serve while entertaining important guests and also served as a treat during holidays and special occasions.
Let’s think about that! No more than 5 to 6 simple ingredients are the components for a tea cake that is SO delicious it was served on the most special occasions!
Are you still with me?
Allow me to take you back to my original thought, “If it was a cheesecake recipe, would I make it?” If I may be honest, the answer is No. I’m not making the cheesecake. I would shamelessly ask if I may come over to have some of that delicious cheesecake at someone else’s house after that blessed and kind “someone” else makes it for me!
But, the tea cakes...that, I CAN DO! More than likely, I have all that I need at home to make them! No special trip to the grocery store. No knocking on the neighbors door to ask for an egg or some sugar. (I thank God daily for providing me with all my basic needs, amen?!) I know I can whip these babies up in no time.
Sisters, our God and Lord and Savior is available to us in this same way. He has already supplied us with what we need to gain access to Him.
In fact, all we need is the air in our lungs to call out to Him, and He is with us.
That’s just one ingredient!
Psalm 46:5 KJV says “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”
One definition of midst is this: n. The middle position or part; the center. (Our lungs!) Another is this: n. The condition of being surrounded or beset by something. (Just like air!)
Now, I realize you may already know this. This is a reminder. Sometimes we struggle with finding time to talk to Him. Other times we can’t seem to find time to read our bibles. Ladies, just breathe. Just call him. He waits for us.
Let me also remind you of Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in him!”
How do we experience a “taste” of the Lord? Take a look at these examples…
Water!
John 4:13-14 “Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Milk and Meat!
1 Peter 2:2-3 “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
Hebrews 5:12-13 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.”
Did you get that? A few simple ingredients. Tasting produces seeing.
Finally, how do we see Him?
Ephesians 1:18 says “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints...”
We don’t have to jump through hoops baking fancy cheesecakes in this life just to know HIM. Just like delicious Southern Tea Cakes, God requires very little ingredients for us to enjoy His goodness. All day. Every day. There’s no special occasion required, and YOU are always the guest of honor. Taste and see Him by immersing yourself in his Word daily. See? I was going somewhere with all of this. :)
MARIE'S SOUTHERN TEA CAKES
You will need:
2 1/2 c. sifted plain flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1 3/4 sticks of softened butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp milk
1 tsp brandy (optional)
Sift flour, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder together. Cream butter, sugar, eggs together. Add vanilla, milk and dry ingredients. Blend well. Place dough on lightly floured board, sprinkle flour over dough and roll to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutter. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes (or until edges are light golden brown).
Note: Instead of consistently adding flour to dough or rolling pin, roll dough between 2 pieces of waxed paper or parchment. Too much flour can make cookies dry.
Enjoy!
We would love to hear if you try this humble yet delicious recipe!
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