Just a few days until Christmas and we’re already getting excited about all the amazing lights, décor and food that awaits us. This time of the year always makes me very nostalgic as I’m transported back to the time when I used to be in school and we would have a grand Christmas celebration. Along with an annual fete before the winter break, we would have a Santa special dance and caroling session on Christmas eve. The highlight of this day would be the Favourite Santa Kid which was selected by Santa Claus. This kid would then be given a host of presents and a Santa hat and would be treated to lots of sweet meats. When I was young, I had the chance of being the favourite this one year and I cannot forget the taste of that banana tea cake which I relished that day.
That was my first tryst with tea cakes when I didn’t even know what they were back then. Then I had tea cake at a high tea ceremony in Singapore at one of the tallest restaurants in the country. Finally, my last memory of tea cake was that of a blueberry one that my mother baked around this time last year. My fascination for tea cakes has been unmatched since then. The tea cakes I’ve been accustomed to eating are the ones which are rectangular in shape and cut into smaller slices to be eaten.
Recently, I discovered that the tradition of eating tea cakes dates back to the time of Civil War where African-American slaves brought these delights with them. Although it was linked with the slavery class for the longest time, in England, tea cakes were a customary item on the evening tea menu for the elite. The interesting bit lies in the fact that English tea cakes are quite different from the ones in US or Sweden. While the former are spongy and fruity buns, the American version is more like cookies than cakes. The Swedish tea cakes are actually flattened bread made from wheat and used for making sandwiches.
The idea of tea cakes varies from region to region but what remains intrinsic to them is the idea of celebration. Tea cakes are often consumed as part of Christmas celebrations in different parts of the country. Here are some of them that you should definitely try this season.
1. Caramelised Apple Tea Cake
The good part about fruit cakes is that their sweet smell is very appetizing and pleasant to the senses. Another good thing is that they add a natural sweetness to the cake which enhances its flavours. The apples are caramelized before being dunked into the cake batter along with sugar, milk, butter and eggs. With a white drizzle of cinnamon icing, the tea cake looks like the perfect Christmas treat.
2. Old Fashioned Tea Cake
This traditional tea cake is a classic since ages. The cookie-shaped cake is infused with the goodness of butter and the aroma is sure to draw you towards it in no time. Made with minimum ingredients like all-purpose flour, sugar, milk and eggs, the strong hints of ground nutmeg give the otherwise sweet cookies a sharp edge.
3. Bara Brith Tea Cake
This tea cake is a specialty of the Welsh. Loaded with dried fruits and mixed spice, this black tea flavoured cake is made in loaves that are cut out into slices and served fresh. Made with whole meal flour, the cake is a healthy take on tea cakes. The dried fruits are usually soaked in rum and then added to the cake batter.
4. Pumpkin Tea Cake
Since it is the festive season, pumpkin tea cakes are a must try. Flavoured with the goodness of pumpkin, the tea cake is healthy and delicious. The soft and spongy yellow-coloured cakes are filled with cranberries and walnuts for the sweetness and crunch.
5. Russian Tea Cake
These tea cakes, as the name suggests, look like balls of snow, dusted off with powdered sugar and rolled into small balls with the essence of vanilla extract. This is a Christmas specialty in Russia.