Description
This traditional Irish Tea Cake is a simple yet delicious vanilla-flavored cake perfect for teatime or as a light dessert. Moist and subtly sweet, it’s easy to bake and pairs wonderfully with fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
For Serving
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Optional: fresh berries
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and fluffy, ensuring a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to blend fully. Then mix in the vanilla extract for fragrant flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter and maintaining a tender crumb.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake’s center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar and optionally serve with fresh berries for a delightful presentation.
Notes
- This cake is lightly sweet and pairs perfectly with tea or coffee.
- For a flavor twist, substitute almond extract for vanilla extract.
- Best enjoyed the same day for optimal freshness.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days to keep moist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
