Description
Whipping up Irish Tea Cake brings pure comfort straight from my kitchen to yours. Tender crumbs and delicate sweetness make this traditional treat perfect for afternoon tea or a relaxed dessert moment.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat an 8-inch round cake pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl until completely blended.
- In a separate large bowl, cream ½ cup softened butter with a hand mixer until smooth and pale, about 2 minutes.
- Crack 3 room temperature eggs into the butter, adding them one at a time and beating thoroughly after each addition to ensure a uniform mixture.
- Pour 1 cup milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract into the butter-egg mixture, stirring gently to combine.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until the batter looks consistent and no flour streaks remain.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly and tap out any air bubbles.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons granulated sugar across the top of the batter in a light, even layer.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 33 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness at the 30-minute mark.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest in the pan for exactly 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and create a more consistent cake texture.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake and keep the crumb tender.
- Gently sprinkle sugar on top just before baking to create a delightful, slightly crisp surface.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cake’s delicate structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 291 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 86 mg