Southern Tea Cakes

 

 

Southern Tea Cakes

Slightly adapted from Country Weekends by Lee Bailey
Makes about 30 cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
2 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Coarse grind sugar for topping (optional)

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar together on high until light and creamy. Add the egg and mix well. Dissolve the baking soda in the vinegar and add to the batter, mixing well. Combine the flour and salt and gradually add to the mixer on low speed until the ingredients form a stiff batter.

Remove the dough onto a sheet of plastic, shape into a disk, wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Roll the dough out on a floured board to 1/4 inch thick. Cut 30 (2 1/2”) rounds using a plain or fluted cutter. Sprinkle the tops with coarse grind natural sugar, if desired.

Place the cookies on lightly buttered or Silpat lined sheet pans, leaving about 1” between cookies allowing room for them to spread slightly. Bake at 350° for about 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack. Store cookies in container with a tight fitting lid. The favor of the cookies improves if they are made a day or two ahead of serving.

Photo from Bijoux