TEA CAKES

                                            

Tea cakes are lightly sweetened cookies that are a perfect accompaniment to a wonderful cup of afternoon tea.  Although they are rather simple in content they are distinctive in flavor and texture.  Tea cakes may be frozen also so you can have them on hand when unexpected guests pop over.  Children will enjoy using their favorite cookie cutter shape as they help you make these delicious cookies.

Ingredients:

1 cup buttermilk

1 and ½ t. baking soda

½ t. salt

2 and ½ cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup shortening or butter, softened

2 t. vanilla

2 cups flour (plus more to make dough the proper consistency)

Instructions:

*Preheat oven to 375 degrees

*Dissolve soda in buttermilk

*Add in the remaining ingredients and mix well.

*Add more flour, in small increments,  until dough is dry enough to roll out and is not too sticky.

*Roll out 1/3 of the dough at a time on a floured surface.  The dough should be approximately ¼ inch (or even thinner if you wish).

*Cut tea cakes into desired shapes.

*Place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with PAM or that has a silicone lining.

*Bake tea cakes until they are beginning to brown around the edges.