Teacakes are an old-fashioned southern cookie – not too sweet and utterly delicious.
Everything that I know of childhood comes from one tiny, rural town in Southwest Georgia. Thinking about it today, it seems almost like a fairytale. It was a place where children could roam around the neighborhood playing all day or get on their bikes and ride “uptown” without worry.
There was practically no crime at all. People never locked their car doors and rarely locked their homes. It really was like growing up in the mythical town of Mayberry. Or maybe I’m just remembering it through a child’s eye. If that’s true, then I hope it never changes.
I’m not sure why, but there are simply certain smells and tastes that bring that childhood back vividly to my mind. I have so many memories that are tied to food – so many memories of people inextricably associated with certain foods.
Old Fashioned Food Memories
To this day, I can’t open a bottle of Tabasco sauce without thinking of how my Daddy loved it. I can remember him drizzling it over a grilled steak and how he enjoyed the way it enhanced the flavor. To tell the truth, I do the same thing on occasion and the mere smell of Tabasco mingling with the steak brings memories of him flooding into my mind.
My Uncle Clayton, a true Southern gentleman of the old order, was famous throughout our area for his barbecue sauce. I still use his recipe to this day and it’s the only one most of our family members ever want. No grocery store barbecue sauce for this family!
His wife, my Aunt Bernice (pronounced BURR-niss in our southern way) was one of the most fantastic southern cooks I’ve ever known. When I think of Aunt Bernice I think of fried pies – apple and peach. I can see her hands holding the fork as she crimped the edges of the little pies and then slid them into the hot fat to fry. The smell of those pies could bring grown men in from the fields and barn.
Family Does it Best!
My grandmother Polly in her heyday was well-known for many recipes, including her “old sorry” fruitcake. My Daddy loved Polly’s fruitcake and, in that manner peculiar to southerners, always teased her by asking for a slice of “that old sorry fruitcake” around Christmas time.
Polly also made the best pot roast I’ve ever eaten. When our grandson, A, was just a toddler and before he could talk, we taught him “baby signs.” They’re just simple hand signs that help toddlers to communicate and relieve a lot of frustration for both them and parents. We went to Polly’s house one day when she had a pot roast cooking and as we walked in the backdoor we were flooded by the delicious smell of that wonderful roast. Polly started laughing and told us to look at what A was doing – he was making the baby sign for “want more” over and over! What a precious memory that is.
I’ve talked your ears off about some of the fantastic cooks in my family, but I’ve saved the very best for last – my Mama. Now I know that everybody thinks that their Mama is the best cook, but my Mama has all of them beat :-) Just a few of the things that pop into mind when I think of my Mama’s kitchen are the world’s best fried chicken, cornbread and fried okra. Light as feather angel biscuits. Crispy, crunchy salmon croquettes. And, last but not least, the absolute best cornbread dressing ever made. Really. Not only is she a fabulous cook, she does it all with flair. Nothing ordinary. Nothing plain-jane. If it comes out of my Mama’s kitchen it not only tastes wonderful, it looks beautiful.
I’m Just So 1965!
I saw a comment from another blogger a few days ago wondering why anyone would want to make a particular recipe because it was “so 1965.” I guess I view cooking a little differently from most. For me, the preparation of good food is a way of showing love. And making the old recipes honors our ancestors.
Cooking is not always just the means to get a meal on the table so you can get on with something else. It’s about fellowship, too. A time to gather together and enjoy each other’s company. And if you have an old family recipe to enjoy, all the better.
These old-fashioned Southern Teacakes are one of those old recipes. Anyone “of a certain age” who grew up in or near the place I did knows exactly what a teacake is. It’s not a cake, but it’s not quite a cookie either. It is certainly not overly sweet – just barely enough sugar to call it a dessert, actually. They’re delicious with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. And, if you grew up in southwest Georgia, you can take one bite of a teacake and in your mind, you’re five years old again.
Teacakes are an old-fashioned southern cookie - not too sweet and utterly delicious. Click To Tweet
How to Make Old Fashioned Southern Teacakes
Make and Chill the Dough
Cream the butter. Gradually add the sugar, beating well. Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Now add the buttermilk and beat well again. Combine the flour and soda. Turn the mixer down to slow (or stir) speed and gradually add the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the vanilla.
Shape the dough into a round, cover with plastic wrap and chill several hours or overnight.
Cut Out and Bake
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
If you chill your dough overnight, remove it from the fridge about 15 minutes before rolling.
Working with 1/4 to 1/3 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1/4” thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into rounds using a large biscuit cutter. Place the rounds 1 inch apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. It’s important that the dough is at least 1/4″ thick to give the teacakes a “cake-y” interior texture. Sprinkle lightly with additional sugar.
Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the edges are very lightly browned. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow teacakes to cool for several minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 2 ½ dozen.
More Vintage Southern Recipes on Never Enough Thyme:
- Fried Okra
- Real Simple Fried Chicken
- Turnip Greens and Corn Pone
- Old Fashioned Cornbread
- Lacy Cornbread
- Pimiento Cheese
teacake Recipes from Other Bloggers:
- Paula Deen’s Southern Teacakes recipe
- Grandma’s Southern Tea Cakes from I Heart Recipes
- Mama Reed’s Southern Teacakes recipe published by Christy Jordan
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Old-Fashioned Southern Teacakes
An old-fashioned southern cookie - not too sweet and utterly delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 tblsp. buttermilk
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- Additional sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Cream the butter.
- Gradually add the sugar, beating well.
- Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Now add the buttermilk and beat well again.
- Combine the flour and soda.
- Turn the mixer down to slow (or stir) speed and gradually add the flour mixture into the creamed mixture.
- Stir in the vanilla.
- Shape the dough into a round, cover with plastic wrap and chill several hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- If you chill your dough overnight, remove it from the fridge about 15 minutes before rolling.
- Working with 1/4 to 1/3 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1/4” thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut into rounds using a large biscuit cutter.
- Place the rounds 1 inch apart on lightly greased cookie sheets.
- It's important that the dough is at least 1/4" thick to give the teacakes a "cake-y" interior texture.
- Sprinkle lightly with additional sugar.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the edges are very lightly browned.
- Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow teacakes to cool for several minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 196 Total Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 35mg Sodium: 129mg Carbohydrates: 30g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 14g Protein: 3g
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Denise Devers says
Like everyone else said, your post was awesome & brought back so many good memories! I was raised in Texas in a small country town right on Red River, North of Wichita Falls called Burkburnett. My Mother, Grandmother & aunts were the best cooks ever, I was introduced to the Tea Cakes @ Vacation Bible School. We’d get 1 with a glass of Kool-aid & you couldn’t wait until the next day to get another. Nobody could cook Cornbread Dressing, Fried Chicken, Pinto Beans, Fried Okra, Cornbread, Fried Potatoes with Onions in the pan & Fried Salmon Croquets like my family did 😉 I never even missed the meat when we didn’t have it. I very rarely fry anything anymore, but back then, seems everything was fried! Again, thanks so much for the memories & the recipe. I’m making these tomorrow for my husband & grandsons.
Lana Stuart says
You’re welcome, Denise! Hope everyone enjoys the Teacakes :-)
Charlotte Moore says
I was searching for a good teacake and came across yours. I made them and my husband loves them. I enjoyed reading your story about your family and their cooking.
We live in North GA about 40 miles north of Atlanta.
Dianne Evans says
Love your tea cake recipe! I have my Aunt Jessie’s tea cake recipe…She told me to cut them out with a “snuff can”!!!! That’s how she cut them out. Haven’t been able to find a snuff can, haaaa but my 3 inch biscuit cutter works just fine!!!! I grew up in Ochlocknee…very familiar with Colquitt! Love your site!
Karen says
These are very delicious!!! But I have a question, can I use the boxed cake flour?
Lana Stuart says
I wouldn’t recommend it. Cake flour would change the texture dramatically.
carol says
I remember these cookies. My grandpa would dip them in his coffee
Are they crisp, not hard though? I have an older friend who talks about them being crisp and would like to make some for him. I didn’t get my grandma’s recipe. I will try these.
Lana Stuart says
Carol – they’re not hard at all. The outside is slightly crisp and the inside is slightly soft.
Elizabeth Kagwi says
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! I remember teacakes from my Great Grandmother’s house in Michigan. I was seven years old! They are the perfect treat. Not to sweet–just right.
Mary Wash says
The Tea cake delicious!!!-Do you have a recipe for the Old Fashioned Gingerbread that was sold at community stores back in the 50’s. (the name would vary sometime be called Bear Track, old fashioned ginger tea cake) I would love to have the recipe, about ten years ago, I was visiting east Tx (Longview) and discovered them at a neighborhood grocery store and they were made locally by Mallery Bakery, bakery has since going out of business. can you help me out with the recipe? Look forward to hearing from you.
Shelby says
Love the way you look at food and family. So happy you are bringing some of the older recipes back. A good recipe is a good recipe. I have spent years looking for certain recipes from my childhood and young adult years. These teacakes are one – my husband grew up in Atlanta. I finally found one very similar to the teacakes his loved grandmother made . It did not call for eggs. I’m happy to try this one.
Rosemary says
Love your stories and your recipes. There are always going to be haters. Just ignore them. The old recipes are the best.
Donna says
Hi. I came across this looking for my mama’s (her mama’s and probably HER mama’s) teacake recipe. My mama was such a good southern cook. Her recipe calls for the ingredients but not the measurements! She knew just how the dough would look after throwing in all the ingredients. This was always so aggravating to me – I needed measurements! I’m going to give this one a try. Thanks. By the way, your description of your hometown could be the description of mine – a little town in NC. Living in different places and trying to describe the freedom and lack of fear we had growing up and likening my hometown to Mayberry, just gets ‘Your kidding!” or “Yeah, right.” responses from people. Oh, for those days to come back!
Joan says
I really miss my Grandma’s tea cakes. She put lemon in hers. I have tried to duplicate hers, but every one I try just doesn’t make the cut. I don’t think I will ever find it, I believe it was just her touch that made them so good. I can smell them now.
Neena says
Lana, I don’t remember reading this. Thank you for the wonderful compliments on my cooking. It humbles me to be in the same category with Aunt Bernice, Uncle Clayton, Gama, Polly & and of course your Daddy. Love U
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books says
I really enjoyed your post, — it brought back some wonderful memories of my Grandmother’s cooking! She passed away over 3 years ago, but I still remember how she made the “best” Biscuits and Gravy, Raisin Creme Pie, and I loved her Beans and Cornbread!
betty says
Please do pull all your memories together and create a book. Although I was born and raised in Canada, my childhood contains a similarity to some of your memories. Times were gentler then and I regret that my children and grandchildren’s memories will not be the gentle, warm and safe times we knew. America is no longer free nor does she now belong to the people. We have voted into office people who put love of money and power ahead of love of America and the price we have paid is the loss of our country. These people have Uncle Sam by the throat! Wake up, America, and reclaim our country by voting these scoundrels out of office!
Rosalyn Raper says
The most wonderful memory of my childhood is my mama Sue’s teacakes. She was my maternal grandmother and died around 1955, but I can still smell and taste these wonderful treats. I failed to get her recipe and have tried so often to duplicate, but not with too much success. I am definitely going to try these and see what happens. I grew up in Pontotoc County near Ecru in North Mississippi and those peaceful childhood memories, just so heavenly.
Thanks again. Rosalyn
Pamela Carson says
I,too, lived in a very small south Georgia town, Ray City, when I was young, and after reading this post, I think we’re related lol. Brought tears and really wonderful memories of my mother (who absolutely made the best cornbread dressing ever!). I miss her every day, but when I make those biscuits or that cornbread dressing or her cream cheese pound cake, she’s right there with me. Thank you, even for the tears. :)
Sandra Smith says
Yum, yum…I’m from a little town, Adairsville, Ga. Everything you said, seems i could have written it, word for word. Im cooking these tea cakes now, as i cook some homemade chicken soup for supper. Ah, the smells do bring back memories, and yes doing it like our old folks did makes it so special, and the love that hours into it…there’s more than people realize in there. Thanks for the recipe.
Sally Brown says
Hi Lana, Mom and I had lost Ma Booth’s Old Fashioned Teacake recipe but I knew it was the same as soon as I saw your list of ingredients. I made some last night and they took me way back in time. These were a real treat during the great depression when sugar was so hard to find. I like to use it as a History lesson for my Grand kids and it gives me a chance to tell them my memories of their Great, Great, Great Grand Mother.
Sally
Lana says
Your comment makes me really happy, Sally. I love being able to keep the old recipes and memories live for others.
linda martin says
i am 66 years old. my mother made tea cakes. she made them and rolled the into dough like her biscuits . she then pinched off enough of the dough and rolled it like biscuit dough and pressed it into the pan like biscuits. i cannot find a recipe like this
Lana says
Hi Linda – this is a fairly stiff dough. I would think you could handle the way you’ve described.
erica thompson says
I have been looking everywhere for a recipe like my grandmother’s. She didnt roll hers out like cookies but she baked them in muffin tins (I grew up here in the Heart of Dixie or Alabama). Been looking everywhere but I cant seem to find one similiar to it anywhere. First time baking these but thinking about giving this a try, should I add more milk to thin it out and cut down on the flour?
Pat Hayslip says
Lana, I also grew up in South Georgia near the Florida line and we always had the Old Fashioned Teacakes. I lost my mom’s recipe years ago and was so glad to find yours.
I can’t wait to make them. I know they will be delicious.
Food and fellowship goes together like biscuits and syrup and everyone should enjoy them.
Sheila says
I too grew up in southwest Georgia…Thomasville. Anywhere near your small town? My grandmother’s kitchen was the first room we checked out when we got there. Mainly because that’s usually where she was but she always had something great to eat and most of the time she had her teacakes. They were the best! She gave me her recipe which while similar to yours didn’t use eggs and weren’t rolled out. She always patted them out by hand. I’m going to try yours this time and see how the difference taste!
Lana says
Sheila – I grew up in Colquitt (Miller County) which is fairly close to Thomasville. I hope you enjoy the teacakes recipe!
Joan says
oh my goodness, can’t believe this, two Thomasville girls found you. How amaizing is that? Would love to hear from Sheila.
Dixie says
My maternal grandma lived in Iron City just south of Colquitt. We have been trying (unsuccessfully) to recreate her teacakes for years. My daughter actually brought another effort over just last night … while good, still not the real deal. I can hardly wait to try your recipe.
Lana says
Thanks for your comment, Dixie. I’d love to know what you think about the teacakes after you make the recipe!
Nick Holt says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I will be baking them this afternoon. My Granny used to make tea cakes for us quite often. I never could master her recipe. She never had to write anything down, hence no recipe for me. As a man, I love to cook the old-fashioned way: Chicken and dumplins, fried corn ( always field corn, never sweet corn, cause we never heard of sweet corn) fried okra, field peas, butter beans and collard greens along with fried corn bread. I come from the Tri-state area (Ala, Fla, Ga) Everything was home grown. My most favorite desserts were Lane Cake (the six layer kind) and Nanner Pudd’n . I now need to come back to the present from your website. Thank you for the trip!
Kim says
what a wonderful site. I was recently going through my Bigmama’s recipes, and found the recipe for teacakes. I made them and the memories flooded back. I was trying to explain what teacakes are to my husband (he is afflicted by being a Yankee, but we don’t hold that against him, we just take his hand and try to lead him down the right road). Your recipe was right on. The only difference was that my Bigmama did not ever cut out the cookies as we were always in too much of a hurry for her teacakes, that she cut them up (southern dumpling style) and baked them. Wonderful memories – great piece of southern heritage!
Lana says
Thank you so much, Kim. It’s comments like yours that keep me writing, cooking, and photographing for this little blog. If you have any other Southern favorites you’d like to see here, please be sure to let me know!
Brandy says
I love this post! When I saw the tea cakes it took me right back to my elementary school days in Richland Ga. The lunch ladies use to make them for us. What town are you from? Thanks for this post. I loved it!
Lana says
Brandy – I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and that it brought back fond memories for you! I’m from Colquitt in Miller County. Far southwest corner of the state.
Joan says
I am from SW Georgia also, but a little farther SW than you. I was born and raised in Thomasville. Married a Marine and moved to Onslow County North Carolina (home of Camp LeJeune). We only moved once (Hawaii) then moved back.
Love your stories, and could fill a book of my own.
I hope to try your Tea Cake recipe as soon as the Christmas rush is over and I can slow down a little. My grandma always made them, I can’t remember her making anything else. I have tried so many different recipes, they just don’t taste like hers. And I have asked all of her kids if they remembered the recipe, I don’t think they were allowed in the kitchen when she was cooking.
Cook on Southern gurl.
Judy English says
Lana,
This past summer our son and his wife asked us to come to the beach and visit them while they were on vacation. They have a five year old daughter , and a nine year old son. I decided I would take some desserts. First I made a pound cake for the adults, and then I decided I would make a chocolate cake for the nine year old boy that he loved, and then I pondered what to make for our sweet Caroline. I decided to make the teacakes because my mom had made them many times when I was a little girl. When it was dessert time the night we got there, I opened up the two cakes and Caroline asked what I had made for her. When I opened the tupperware container and she had to look inside. She looked up at me with her big eyes and said, “Grandma, Those are just plain cookies.” I was so afraid she was not going to like them. After she ate the first one she wanted another and she and her brother finished them while we were there. Now she begs me to make them for her. She says they are the best teacakes in the world. So maybe I have started a memory that they will carry with them after I am gone.
Peggy Keys Brunson says
Lana,
I was sitting at my desk looking at recipes for tea cakes and ran across your lifetime of memories. Wow! did that take me back. I was telling my grandchildren about the same things. When I read Aunt Burr-niss’s name that really cracked me up. We had an Aunt Rose Ella (called in Florida) Aint Ro-zella. Too funny. I also come from a cooking family. My Mom is a great cook, you talking about good dressing ooh! I am also a great cook. We have a big family and I cook for them a lot, and when I cook I cook with lots of love. Thank you for the memory lane I just went down. God Bless you!
PJ Knight says
Lana, I read the recipe for the fried catfish, then the cheese grits. I lingered over the chicken and dumplings …. and then finally when I got here to the teacakes, I cried. Thank you so much for saving and sharing these heirloom recipes that feed our souls as well as our bodies.
Lana says
Thank you so much! Your comment just made all the effort that goes into this blog completely worthwhile!
Renee (Kudos Kitchen) says
What a wonderful post Lana. I loved reading all about the memories you have via the food you create. Perfect!
alex at a moderate life says
Hi Lana, what a lovely site you have! I am now following you on twitter. My favorite thing about visiting food blogs besides wonderful recipes and beautiful food photography is to hear the stories of why a food became a comfort food and why it feeds the soul. It’s one of the reasons I started the hearth and soul recipe hop so folks could share these intimate memories! I love your tea cakes and I will be making them for my girls! all the best, [email protected]
Betsy says
My mama grew up in Dawson, GA, and I always loved hearing her stories of how it was “back in the day.” Your blog reminds me of her stories. She is also one that doesn’t especially love to cook, but she has a few really good things. And teacakes are one of the things she makes well.
Great post!
SMITH BITES says
what lovely memories Lana and you know i’m a sucker for a good story!! i think that some of why i cook IS for those memories and i don’t care if it’s soooo ‘1965’ – in fact, i think those are the recipes i enjoy the most – it connects us to a place and time in our own history as well as connects us to those that have passed on – those recipes keep our stories alive!
Amanda says
Such a great story lana! What a lovely post, and the tea cakes look delicious :)
Shelby says
to me this is the best story (memory post). I love when people remember and associate the food with their memories. I’m sure these cookies are awesome!
Rhonda says
Those tea cakes remind me of my “ma” she’s going to be 100 this year and she used to make those for me. I have her recipe.. reminded me I need to make me some ( unless your bringing me a treat to work Sunday !!!!)
I’ll still try yours cause they look yummy. Keep telling the storys we love to read them.
claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend says
I dont remember when I saw a more perfect picture of this kind of cookie, the sparkle of sugar is magnificent would love to dive into the screen and grab one!
Lana says
Wow, Claudia – thank you so much! I tried really hard to make that photo special and I liked the way it turned out, too.
Teri says
Love your stories Lana.
I grew up in the burbs but so much of what you say was the same for me. Just a much simpler and carefree time.
It sounds like your Gama & I have something in common..”Just not born to be a cook” lol
Lana says
Ha! Teri – you could totally make these teacakes. Really – they’re not difficult at all!
Charlotte says
I grew up in Mobile, Al and have so many of the same food memories that you do. I remember the teacakes my grandmother used to make, they looked much like yours only not as perfectly round. I guess Nany didnt cut hers out with a cookie cutter or jelly jar! Thanks for the memories!(almost broke out in song there!)
Deeba says
Love the nostalgic connect with the food post. Makes it so much more delicious and meaningful! Thank you for sharing this special window to your world Lana. These tea cakes sound wonderful!
Cookin' Canuck says
I’d love reading your childhood memories and I agree with you about our parents and grandparents recipes – they are meant to be made with love and cherished.
Lana says
Thanks, Dara. I do cherish all those old recipes. I especially love the church cookbooks that were published back in the 70’s and 80’s in my hometown. I refer to them often!
Neena says
Oh boy!!! Yes Aunt Margie was a WONDERFUL cook. I don’t remember anything that she prepared that wasn’t delicious. Wish you and BeeBop could be here Sunday for dinner. Can’t believe that your baby sister is 50. Guess that means bringing out family recipes and gathering in the clan.
Lana says
She was a wonderful cook, wasn’t she? And a fantastic hostess, too. I remember her beautiful china especially.
Beth says
I grew up in a tiny Kentucky town that sounds very similar to yours. We didn’t get our first traffic light until my senior year of high school & our idea of fun was “cruising” main street from Cee Bee on one end to Ferrell’s Burgers on the other!
Once I went off to college, my Mama often shipped me care packages with her yummy tea cakes inside, and all my friends would pile up on my tiny dorm room bed and eat them while I read the sweet letter that came inside the box. Such special memories!
Lana says
How sweet, Beth! I can just picture you and your friends eating teacakes in your dorm room. Glad I could bring that memory back for you.
Stephanie says
Gorgeous post! I love everything about it- your nostalgia, your photos, your storytelling- everything! And the teacakes sound fantastic too :)
Lana says
Thank you, Stephanie. I may be doing even more nostalgic posts in the near future :-)
Feast on the Cheap says
What a wonderfully nostalgic post! Sounds like you’re from fantastic stock ;)
Lana says
Thank you so much!
triciaw says
Being from middle Georgia, I can relate to your story in so many ways. Wouldn’t it be a better world today if we could all still live as simply as our Mom’s and Dad’s did. I’ll have to try your tea cake recipe. My hubby loves the ones his Mom used to make but I haven’t been able to perfect my recipe so far.
Lana says
Tricia – I hope you and your hubby like this one. It tastes exactly the way my aunt’s teacakes always did.
France @beyondthepeel says
Being from both Quebec and Saskatchewan in Canada, you might imagine I have never had a teacake. I am so delighted that you shared these. It’s like traveling but through food and sharing memories with a complete stranger. I will try to imagine your childhood while eating these.
Lana says
And I’m delighted that I could share a little taste of the South with you! I do hope you’ll try these teacakes and enjoy them.
Barbara | VinoLuciStyle says
You are so right Lana and I can conjure up special moments even now with my beloved Grandma, just thinking of Pecan Butter Balls or one of her many German specialties. So 1965? That evokes family meals of substance that I still love even if I made some adjustments for today; spaghetti with real Parmesan and not from a green can comes to mind!
Lana says
I’m sure there’s some psychological explanation for it, Barbara, but for me food has a very powerful way of bringing back old memories. Especially the older recipes that were always present in my childhood. And who cares if it’s “so 1965?” Age really has nothing to do with the quality or enjoyment of a recipe!
Pat says
OMGoodness! I think we must be sister. My Mama made the exact same things that yours made and they were the best. You brought back a lot of good memories of my Mama and her cooking and meals around the table with the family. I love teacakes and can’t wait to make these even though I have been on a diet and trying not to eat a lot of sweets, but what the heck!
Lana says
Pat – Just make a batch, have one or two for yourself, and share them with the neighbors. They’ll be your friends forever ;-)
Barbara @ Modern Comfort Food says
What a simply lovely post, Lana, and it evokes so many similar memories for me. I guess I “know” that the rural South can’t actually be all that different from other places, but in my heart I do think of it as special in terms of the way family, food, a slower pace, and the importance given to easy chat and wonderful story-telling all came together for me personally.
Lana says
I think of it as special, too. And even though it is different now, Barbara, you can still find little areas in the South where life still moves slowly. Where there’s still time to sit around the dinner table with family and tell old familiar stories. Where families still have annual reunions and churches still have homecoming (with “dinner on the grounds”).
Miss P says
Tea cakes remind me of Aunt Margie. She always had a batch on hand, and stored them in one of those large clear gallon-plus size jars with the screw on top. When we went to her house, having tea cakes available was just as constant as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. I know that Uncle Bud would like a batch of these, to remind him of his one true love.
Miss P
Lana says
I remember it now! That big jar with the screw lid. I *knew* there was someone in the family who always had teacakes at their house, but I couldn’t remember who. Aunt Margie was an outstanding cook! And not just ordinary things, either. She would tackle any recipe no matter how complicated. I bet Uncle Bud would like some of these, too. And a slice of chocolate pie – his favorite :-)
Jerry Walker says
I had an Aunt Margie and Uncle Bud in FT. Worth Texas that did the same.
Mama Kelly aka Jia says
Isn’t it funny how many memories we associate with food? That’s one of the reasons I’ve always made cooking real food for my kids a priority. Thanks for sharing so many happy moments!!
Lana says
Absolutely! And having them cook with you creates memories that they will pass down in years to come :-)
begin with a Sunny Outlook says
I love reading your stories about the past! Your childhood town sounds like the town I grew up in. It was grand! All your recipes are fabulous, and I agree, cooking is a way of showing love to your family.
Lana says
I love making those old recipes that remind me of wonderful times in the kitchens and dining rooms of my family members. It creates continuity from generation to generation and keeps their spirit alive for today’s little ones.
Brenda says
Thanks for the precious memories, L. All of us southern girls have our tales to tell about the wonderful, loving cooks we grew up with, and I loved hearing about yours. It made me think of my Mama, my “little Mama” and my Ma’Mama – true southern ladies and marvelous cooks everyone. Love you. B.
Lana says
Thanks, B. I have so many more memories that I could have shared but I’ll save them for another time. I was afraid the length of this post would scare off too many people :-) Love ya, too.
Bishop Smith says
Thank you for your stories about your grandmothers and your precious mother. I also come from a family of great women cooks. Your stories literally almost brought tears to my eyes as you spoke of the “good old days.”
Thank you for sharing from your heart the wonderful childhood memories of that down home southern cooking recipes. My grandmothers were great cooks and of course, but my Mom was the best. I remembered most all her recipes for the wonderful meals except her mouth watering tea cakes. When I think of her tea cakes the kids in the neighborhood would fight to get one, and of course my brothers and sisters would also. The love that was put into the tea cakes will always be special to my heart and childhood memories. I am a minister and a guy, but I loved cooking my mother’s food, she has since gone to heaven, but she will never be forgotten. I feel as I cook her meals I can feel her presence and her laughing with me ! May the Lord bless you good. Keep telling your old time stories for there are a lot of” old school” people out here that experienced so many of the same memories of childhood. Blessings to You, Bishop Alfonzo Smith, Senior Pastor Redeemed Church Detroit, MI PS thanks for the tea cake recipe!!!!