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Irish Tea Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 118 reviews

This classic Irish Tea Cake is a soft, moist, and subtly sweet cake perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea. Made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, it offers a delicate crumb and tender texture. Lightly dusted with confectioners’ sugar, this cake is easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection in a round pan, making it an ideal treat for afternoon tea or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk (plus extra as needed)

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional

  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to ensure it’s hot enough when the batter is ready.
  2. Prepare the Pan: Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent the cake from sticking during baking.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender cake texture.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. Then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent.
  6. Mix Batter: Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir gently to combine; if the batter seems too stiff, add an additional tablespoon or two of milk to reach a smooth consistency.
  7. Pour Batter into Pan: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared cake pan to promote even baking.
  8. Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
  9. Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for a few minutes, then turn it out onto a serving plate. Dust the top with confectioners’ sugar just before serving to add a delicate sweetness and attractive finish.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is softened (not melted) for optimal creaming with sugar.
  • Adding a little extra milk can help if the batter is too thick.
  • Use a toothpick test to check cake doneness to avoid overbaking.
  • Confectioners’ sugar dusting is optional but adds a nice presentation.
  • Serving with a hot cup of tea makes this traditional cake even more delightful.

Keywords: Irish Tea Cake, Traditional Irish Cake, Tea Time Cake, Simple Cake Recipe, Butter Cake, Afternoon Tea

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