Simply Baking Grandma's Tea Cakes or Southern Tea Cakes

Introduction

 Hello Students! It's snowing outside! This is the best time to bake an all time favorite Cookie that Grandma would bake every time it snowed.  Today we are going to learn how to bake an Old time favorite cookie called Tea cakes.  We will learn two different methods for baking them.  The first method is Grandma's Old Fashion Teacakes which does not require a Mixer or Stand Mixer, but can be mixed the old fashion way by hand.  The second type of Tea Cake cookies are Grandmas' Southern Teacakes.  You will discover that the ingredients in both Tea Cakes are mainly the same, yet requires different amounts of each ingredient, for example, one recipe requires 2 sticks of unsalted butter, and different amounts of vanilla, lemon, and almond extract, and the other recipe can be completed with only 1/4 cups of butter and 1/4 cups of butter flavored Crisco and just one teaspoon of vanilla extract.  Both types of Tea Cakes also have varying amounts of flour, sugar, eggs, and may or may not contain milk.  

Either one you choose, will be an amazing treat that no other cookie will ever beat!

Task

Task 1 - Split up into two different groups. You will then watch the Youtube videos and visit the websites listed below to determine which teacake your group would love to make.  Once the selection is made, you will gather the items needed to prepare the tea cakes that you have chose

Task 2 - Each group will prepare the Tea cakes according to the recipe that was selected from the videos and or websites.  After baking the Tea Cakes, each team will present the finished product for tasting.  Students from each group will then answer the following questions according to the recipe that was chosen.

1. Which Teacake was the fluffiest? The one with the most Butter or the one with Butter and Crisco?

2.  Which Teacake had to be refrigerated the longest for firmness? With or Without Milk?

3.  Was Parchment paper necessary for baking?

4. Where both types of Teacakes baked at the same degree for the same amount of time? 

5.  Which Teacake taste the best? Why or Why not?

6.  What ingredients, cooking utensils, and equipment was used to prepare the recipe chosen by your group?

7.  How long did it take to prepare your recipe?

8.  What type of Math was implemented in the preparation process?

9.  Is this old fashion cookie recipe something that you will be sure to pass on to the next generation?

10.  What was your favorite experience with the Teacake recipe and how is it different from other cookie recipes?

Process

Now it is time for each group to prepare the Teacake recipe of your choice. But first, each group must perform the appropriate research necessary for completing this process.  Listed below are a few You tube videos and websites pertaining recipes for how to prepare both Grandmas' Old Fashion Teacakes and Southern style Teacakes. Select at least two recipes for the same type of Teacakes and compare the amounts of ingredients listed for each recipe.  If one recipe calls for more sugar than the other, it will be at your discretion which one you would like to prepare. Note:  There are many different websites for Teacake recipes.  You can select one that is not listed with appropriate references and website links.    

After selecting your recipe, follow the instructions thoroughly.  Ensure that all measurements are correct and you are not just guessing at how much of an ingredient should be added.  Listed below are two recipes, one for Grandma's Teacakes and the other is for Old Fashion Southern Teacakes.  Review each recipe listed and then view the weblinks and videos before selecting one to prepare.  

Grandma's Old Fashion Teacakes

Below is a list of Websites and You Tube Videos for each group to research and compare to the recipes above. 

Old Fashion Tea Cakes.  https://www.soulfoodqueen.net.  How to make Delicious Teacakes Quick n Simple

 

https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/tea-cake

 

  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Directions

    Instructions Checklist

  • Step 1

    In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; stir into the creamed mixture. Knead dough for a few turnns on a floured board until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until firm.

  • Step 2

    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.

  • Step 3

    Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.  The second recipe is for Old Fashion Southern Style Tea Cakes. Instructions are provided below. 

     Cook Time30 minutes

     Total Time40 minutes

     Servings18

     Calories253kcal

     AuthorLynda

    Southern Style Teacakes

    Ingredients

  • 4-5 cups self-rising flour
  • 2 cups sugar

  • Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

  • Place flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl.

  • Make a well in the center and add remaining ingredients. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. The dough will be stiff.

  • Place on lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out and cut using a cup.

  • Place on baking stone and bake for 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned.

  • Cool and enjoy.

  •  
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup oil
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla flavoring
  • 1 tsp lemon flavoring

Videos of Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes

bing.com/videos

Old Fashioned Tea Cakes - Southern-Style Like Grandma's!

https://divascancook.com/old-fashioned-tea-cakes-recipe-authentic-south…

The Best Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes

https://www.southernkissed.com/old-fashioned-tea-cakes

 

Tea Cakes - Old-fashioned Southern Favorite Recipe

https://southernfoodandfun.com/how-to-make-tea-cakes

 

Grandma's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes Recipe | Allrecipes

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25766/grandmas-old-fashioned-tea-cakes

Grandma's Southern Tea Cakes | I Heart Recipes

https://iheartrecipes.com/grandmas-southern-tea-cakes

Nanny's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes | My Nourished Home

https://www.mynourishedhome.com/nannys-tea-cakes

After preparing the teacakes, each group should sample one cookie from both groups and right a brief summary on which teacake is the best. Explain your answer.  

Evaluation

  • Teacher Name: Mrs. Lang





    Student Name:     _____Group A & Group B___________________________________

 

CATEGORY

Exemplary

Very Good

Good

Needs Improvement

Score

.

 

Appearance and Taste 

The Teacakes are golden brown around the edges, fluffy, and looks and taste like those Grandma used to make.

The Teacakes are golden brown around the edges, have a soft middle, and good taste. 

The Teacakes are brown and slightly crunchy, and have some flavor.

Teacakes are dark brown, hard, and no taste. 

50

 

 

Knowledge of Recipes

Used recipes provided and followed instructions correctly  and provided a comparative summary of which Teacakes were the best. 

Selected recipe from a link other than the ones provided and followed the instructions correctly.

Knowledgeable of the two different types of Teacake recipes and how they are different.

Knowledgeable of only the recipes provided by the Instructor and did not perform research of websites and videos..

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

Resource

Utilization

Utilized both recipes provided, web and video links, and provided recipes from other liable sources.  

Utilized both recipes provided, one from the website links, and one from the video links provided.  .

Utilized recipes that were provided and at least one more recipe from websites or videos.

Only utilized the recipes provided.

25

       

Group Participation

Students participated in the research process, collection of ingredients and items, and preparation and baking of teacakes.  

Student participated in research, preparation and baking of teacakes.

Student participated in the research process, but was unavailable during preparation and baking.

Student was a silent participant and did not help with group assignment. 

100

 This Assignment is worth a total of 200 points. Each category is worth different points listed below.

Exemplary -  25pts - 50pts.

Very Good -  20pts - 45pts.

Good         -  15pts - 30pts

Needs Improvement - 0pts - 10pts

 

 

Categories

Appearance and Taste - 50pts

Knowledge of Recipe  - 25pts

Resource Utilization  -  25pts

Group Participation -  100pts.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You are now officially Teacake Bakers.  You have completed this assignment.  Keep this recipe on file for the next snowy day. Make you a batch of Teacakes and some hot English Tea and snuggle in for a long winter Day!

Credits

Sources provided by Video Links

You Tube

I Heart Recipes

All Recipes

Southern Living

Soul Food Network

Lana's Cooking.com

Divas can cook.com

Ellen's Homemade delights Episode #59.

 

 

 

 

Teacher Page

Teacher Script

Simply Baking Grandma's Teacakes or Southern Teacakes is a Webquest designed for those students who are able to navigate and perform Internet research, cooking, and item preparation without guidance from the Instructor.  Recipes, task and the assignment to be completed is simple and user friendly.  All students including EL A and Students who need individualized instructions, will be able to navigate this webquest and complete each component successful.