YaYa’s Best Ever Tea Cakes (Thin Sugar Cookies)
These Best Ever Tea Cakes are thin, tender sugar cookies with a soft bite and lightly golden edges. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they roll out easily and bake up just right every time. They are perfect plain, brushed with a light egg glaze, or decorated for holidays and special occasions. This is an old-fashioned recipe that has stood the test of time.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 2 cups self-rising flour sifted
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional Glaze
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 to 3 drops of water
- Food coloring if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Sift flour, measure, then sift again with sugar
- Add shortening, beaten egg, and vanilla
- Mix just until a stiff dough forms
- Roll small amounts of dough very thin on a lightly floured surface
- Cut with a 2-inch cookie cutter
- Place on a greased baking sheet
- Brush with glaze if using
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned
- Cool briefly, then transfer to a rack to cool completely
Yaya’s Tips for Success
These tea cakes come together quickly, but the texture depends on how gently you handle the dough. Mama always said to let the ingredients do the work and not fuss with it too much.
- Sift the flour before measuring, then sift again with the sugar for the lightest cookies
- Do not overmix the dough or the cookies will be tough
- Roll the dough very thin, about 1/8 inch, for that classic tea cake texture
- Do not chill the dough, it rolls best at room temperature
- Watch closely while baking, as they should only be lightly browned
Yaya’s Customization Ideas
These tea cakes are wonderful just as they are, but you can dress them up when you want something special.
- Brush them lightly with the egg yolk glaze before baking for a soft sheen
- Add a drop of food coloring to make them festive.
- After baking, a few sprinkles can make them extra pretty for parties or holidays
They pair beautifully with my Old Plain Cake for dessert trays or alongside Strawberry Cake for family gatherings.
Yaya’s Original Recipe Card
