Thursday, May 12, 2011

Lemon Tea Cakes



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I have a treat that I suspect will really please any lemon lovers who pass this way tonight. I found the recipe for these tea cakes several weeks ago, but postponed testing it for lack of time. I finally got to the recipe this afternoon and I'm really delighted with the results. These petite cakes are really easy to make and they're packed with flavor that's sure to please anyone who favors tart desserts. I'm also taken with their appearance. I love their spare simplicity and I'm taken by the way they glisten when light hits their simple glaze. These would be perfect for a bridal or baby shower and they are a natural addition to a table set for an afternoon or high tea. While I've seen this recipe in several places, I was able to trace its origins back to the Better Homes and Gardens website. I don't think this is a new recipe. Their version of the recipe uses shortening rather than butter and that is more typical of mid-century recipes than those written today. For the record, I used unsalted butter to make the tea cakes, which, by the way, are simply inverted cupcakes. I had anticipated the recipe would make about 24 cupcakes. That didn't happen and I ended up with 16 nicely sized cakes instead. If you are a lemon lover, I know you'll enjoy these cakes. Here's the recipe.

Lemon Tea Cakes...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2/3 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
Glaze
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions:
1) Grease and lightly flour twenty to twenty-four 2-1/2-inch muffin cups. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3) In a large mixing bowl beat butter in bowl of an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar and beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture in three parts and milk in two, beating on low to medium speed after each addition just until combined. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon peel. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
4) Transfer to oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Place cupcakes upside-down on wire racks set over waxed paper.
5) In a small mixing bowl, stir together the 2/3 cup sugar and lemon juice. Brush sugar mixture over warm cupcakes until all is absorbed. Cool completely. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Yield: 20 to 24 cakes.








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Lemon and Poppyseed Cake with Yogurt Glaze - Kitchen Wench
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Lemon Cakes - Pastry Studio
Lemon Tart Brulee - Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy
Lemon Gingersnap Icebox Cake - Bittersweet
Lemon Strawberry Ice Box Cake - Two Kitchens

98 comments :

Agata said...

Mmmmmhh!! Very good!! Beautifull!!
See you soon!

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

This cake sound so refreshing and good.

Anonymous said...

Tea cakes are always such a treat. Your lemon version sounds superb.
:-) Mandy

Diane said...

I am a lemon fan so I am sure I will like these. Love your decorations. Have a good day. Diane

My Little Space said...

I love the citrusy flavour. Actually, I just made myself some citrusy tolls. Am still craving for yours too. Hope you're enjoying your day.
Regards, Kristy

My Little Space said...

Sorry, it's rolls not tolls! haha...

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Citrus flavor! Oh this lemon tea cake with lemony glaze. I LOVE it! I am so weak when it comes to citrus flavor... My mouth is watering and it's midnight! I wish I can take a bite this yummy treat...Thanks for posting this recipe Mary!

CaThY said...

The lemon tea cakes look so inviting! thanks for sharing ;)

Manu said...

Oh I love lemon and it sounds so good!! Have a nice day

pigpigscorner said...

What a wonderful lemon treat! Looks pretty too!

Khadija El Mary said...

I love light and moist cakes and anything lemon. Those mini-cakes look gorgeous. This lovely yellow colour evokes such feelings of freshness and joy! Have a great day Mary!
Cheers

Martha said...

Mary, these look lovely and may be my first baking adventure at Blue Row!

Priya Suresh said...

Those tea cakes looks damn pretty..

Katarina said...

I would love these! Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

They look so pretty and sound delicious, we LOVE lemon around here, so will definitely try these. Thanks for a super recipe,
Mary

safire said...

I would serve this with tea and it would be lovely :)

This looks so adorable and dainty!

Lynn said...

These are beautiful, I would love them! I made one of your wheat breads yesterday:@)

Tanna said...

Mary, these are a delight to the eyes as well as to the taste buds!! I love their simplicity, too, and the way you found the perfect flower for each of them... not only 'one perfect bite,' but 'one perfect sight!' Thank you. blessings ~ tanna

James Brewer said...

They look so refeshing!! Perfect for a warm spring or hot summer day!

Red Nomad OZ said...

Bridal and baby showers? I don't think so ... they'd work anytime for me!! But then I've always been a citrus girl ...

Clint said...

Looks very good, although I'm not a lemon cake kinda' guy. Cindy says this looks wonderful.

Jean said...

they look so delicately adorable. i notice u like lemon bakes a lot! so do i heheh

Kim said...

These are for me, I'm a lemon lover!

Anonymous said...

Oh my Mary, the recipe sounds delish!!!! I have such an affinity for tea cakes!!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

My love of lemon is legendary, at least in my own mind. There are so many delicious lemon recipes on One Perfect Bite Mary.

Jenna Lee said...

This looks delicious! If i ever become right and famous i will need a personal chef because there is not way i could make something so cute!

Menta Piperita said...

I am a HUGE lemon lover and this treat looks sooo delicious! Can't wait to try it, thanks for posting! :)

Lenia said...

What a great recipe!They seem so refreshing and yummy!Thanks for sharing,dear Mary!

Prema said...

Gargeous cake,luv the lemony flavor...

Linda @ Lemon Drop said...

Lovely - Lemon is my favorite baking fruit of all time :) thx for sharing !

Unknown said...

They are adorable... I will be making these for sure. I love lemon desserts almost as much as chocolate desserts!! Sometimes it's hard to choose between the two :)

The Path Traveled said...

I love lemon anything. I copied this one to try. thanks

Faith said...

What pretty and elegant tea cakes these are, Mary. They sound really lovely with their lemon flavor!

Jocie's Mom said...

Lovely little tea cakes! This lemon fan approves :)

Linda said...

So sweet and adorable! Turned over cupcakes? What a great idea! I'm a lemon lover and can't wait to try this out. I'm thinking a ladies luncheon needs to be planned quickly!

brandi said...

These looks so light and airy - perfect for a spring dessert.

June said...

If these can compare to your lemon pound cake, then you've got a real winner Mary because it is absolutely delicious!

Cathy said...

I love lemon desserts and am happy to have something new to serve to my family. Your presentation is beautiful, Mary, perfect for any special occasion.

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Karen Harris said...

Lucious lemon tea cakes! I love summer and lemon is a big hot weather flavor for us. I can't wait to make these.

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

How absolutely beautiful these tea cakes are!

Unknown said...

Oh what a perfect little cake! I love Lemon!

Anonymous said...

These mini cakes are so cute and elegant :)

Pondside said...

We love lemon at our house - and we love tea. This sounds like a lovely addition to our tea menu!

kitchen flavours said...

These cupcakes looks wonderful. And they are so prettily decorated! I love lemons, and this sounds delicious! Bookmarking this, thanks for sharing!

Beverly said...

They look and sound delicious. My family would love these.

Sweetladyelaine said...

Thank you for visiting my blog! Your lemon cake sounds wonderful! I will have to make it!
Thank you for sharing...
Blessings My Friend,

Kelly said...

I don't know why I never thought to simply turn my cakes over and make cute tea cakes. Do you level them on top (which then becomes the bottom) to make sure they rest flat, or do these naturally come out that way?

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary, thank you for dropping by and leaving me nice comment on my blog! This is my first time to yours as well and I'm so happy to have seen it. You have beautiful pictures and delicious sounding recipes. I can't wait to try some out :)

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Refreshing and delicious cake...cute pic...

Ciao Chow Linda said...

These are adorable and I'm sure they taste great. I love the decorative touch on top too.

Emily Malloy said...

This is gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

So pretty and the perfect baked goods for spring.

Susan said...

Perfect timing, Mary! I'm hosting a tea for a friend's birthday next week & am in recipe-gathering mode! I just ordered some mini-bundt pans in the shape of flowers - this recipe will be perfect! I'll be sure to link back when I post them. xoxo

Anonymous said...

I'll have to try this recipe and add a bit of lavender as well!

Ryan said...

So beautiful and perfect for spring! This lemon lover can't wait to try these! You're right, they would be perfect for a shower or tea!

Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook said...

Huge fan of lemon! These look amazing!

That Girl said...

Desserts are the best when they don't need more than a simple glaze.

Food Glorious Food! said...

So dainty and delicious looking cakes... great with a cup of tea!

PeggyR said...

Those sound very good!

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

So perfect and delicious...

Kisses,
Rita

Anonymous said...

Ooh, these look gorgeous! You're making me crave an afternoon tea with milk and honey...with one of these little gems~

Miss Meat and Potatoes said...

Lemon Lovers unite!! What a perfect spring/summer recipe. Or anytime of year for that matter. Thanks so much for sharing this.

Wendy Irene said...

Turning a cupcake upside down...that is brilliant! It looks so beautiful that way. Love it! I am definitely going to do that some time soon.

Renee Paj said...

they are lovely and I DO love lemon, so I would adore these! They would be cool in one of those mini bundt pans I think! :)

Anonymous said...

Mary-
I too am on a lemon kick lately. This sounds wonderful.

CkretsGalore said...

I have a lemon addiction! Those look lovely and simple.

Gen said...

Mmm! It looks highly flavored in lemon! Just perfect!

hobby baker Kelly said...

I adore lemon and these little cakes are too cute! I love your dainty little garnishes. I suspect I will be trying these out soon. Anything lemony...

Tasha said...

What charming little cakes these are. I adore lemon desserts and agree these look perfect to serve for a shower!

Sunanda said...

looks super delicious.i am never bored of ur baked goodies,simply awesome..
Sunanda's Kitchen

Chef E said...

Since I adore, no LOVE lemon, I will be making these...Thanks Mary!

Tracy's Living Cookbook said...

Looks like Blogger is up and running again - my site too! These cakes look so pretty and I love that they are made in individual portions. It's always fun to have your own little dessert, specially made for you! I love all things LEMON :)
~Tracy

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Cute and yummy tea cakes with that lemon flavor..

Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook said...

Blogger issues again! Pretty cakes, I think I posted but I'll say I'd like them again and again :)

Eileen said...

These look delicious. I absolutely love lemon. Definitely a keeper.

Anonymous said...

Those are seriously bright tea cakes! Yum!

From the Kitchen said...

Thank goodness! I thought I had dreamed this recipe. I was on vacation and was sure you had posted this recipe which I "cataloged" to do for a shower. I came home yesterday. No "Blogger" then no lemon tea cake recipe. I'm either dreaming again, or, here it is. I hope the latter.

Best,
Bonnie

Gloria Baker said...

Mary I love these lemon tea cakes, look amazing and perfect! have a lovely weekend! gloria

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I love this idea of inverting cupcakes. And the beautiful yellow color will cheer you while you await the sun.

Fondly,
Glenda

megi said...

The lemon tea cakes look so pretty, perfect for spring.

Claudia said...

Thank goodness this has returned as I wrote down the link in my website! Inverting the "cupcakes" make them special little delicacies.

Anonymous said...

These look so yummy! I'm going to try them out! :)

The Harried Cook said...

How gorgeously yellow, Mary! I love these... I am bookmarking this... :) Thanks for sharing :)

lena said...

another lemon recipe! they look so pretty and i think i'm gonna luv them!

Anonymous said...

I'm on a lemon kick myself lately and these look so good!

Maria said...

I love love lemon in desserts. These look so incredibly pretty and heavenly!

Elaine said...

I am a lemon lover and know I would love these. They are so pretty!

That Girl said...

These ARE delightful!

Pure Complex said...

Wow, these Lemon Tea Cakes really look delicious and very moist. I also love how you displayed them on the plate. I have to try out this recipe.

Unknown said...

These teacakes immediately caught my eye. I love lemons in sweets.

Judy Whatilivefor said...

Those look super tasty! I don't think they would last long in our house at all :)

Susan said...

Lovely, Mary! I just served these at a Tea Party and they were wonderful! Thanks for your constant inspiration.

Reese Darragh said...

This I must try baking. My mom loves everything lemon. Thanks for sharing the recipe

Reese Darragh said...

Mary,

I made the lemon tea cakes earlier. Everyone loves it. Thank you so much for the recipe. Will write a post about it and link it to your website.

Love those petite lemon tea cakes. Have a blessed day!

Reese

Kathy from Food Lover's Odyssey said...

A very sophisticated take on a cupcake. I love it. I usually use a simple syrup with lemon juice to imbibe cakes, but I like the thought of the thicker sugar and lemon juice mixture saturating the warm cakes. And, thank you for the lemon tart link love!

Nisha said...

Cake looks so cute and beautiful.

Unknown said...

Just made this for my family. They disappeared in ten minutes. Melt in mouth amazing little cakes and the lemon glaze adds the perfect tanginess

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