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Irish Tea Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 58 reviews

This classic Irish Tea Cake is a soft, buttery treat perfect for afternoon tea or a light dessert. Featuring a tender crumb with a subtle hint of vanilla, it’s easy to prepare and dusted with confectioners’ sugar for an elegant finish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup milk, or more if needed

For Dusting:

  • ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air and gives the cake a tender texture.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully mixed in before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. These will provide structure and leavening to your cake.
  5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the flour mixture. If the batter feels too stiff, add an extra tablespoon or two of milk until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  6. Pour and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  7. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then, turn the cake out onto a serving plate and let it cool completely to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.
  8. Dust with Sugar and Serve: Just before serving, dust the top of the cake with confectioners’ sugar for a delicate sweetness and classic look.

Notes

  • You can adjust the milk quantity to achieve the perfect batter consistency; thicker batter might result in a denser cake.
  • Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming and texture.
  • Use fresh baking powder to ensure the cake rises well.
  • This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of strong black tea or Irish breakfast tea.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Irish Tea Cake, simple cake recipe, homemade tea cake, Irish dessert, vanilla cake, afternoon tea cake

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/irish-tea-cake-recipe/