Barbara'S Tea Cakes (Cookies) Recipe

Name: Barbara'S Tea Cakes (Cookies)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups sugar; 1 cup vegetable shortening (no sub); 2 large eggs, beaten; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 cup milk; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 4 cups flour (plus extra for rolling); Cookie Glaze; 16 ounces powdered sugar, sifted; 1 teaspoon vanilla (I use powdered, but any vanilla works); 1 -3 tablespoon milk (add 1 T at a time); food coloring, pastes

Servings: persons

2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable shortening (no sub)
2 large eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour (plus extra for rolling)
Cookie Glaze
16 ounces powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla (I use powdered, but any vanilla works)
1 -3 tablespoon milk (add 1 T at a time)
food coloring, pastes

1
Cream together sugar & shortening until fluffy.
2
Add eggs & vanilla. Mix well.
3
Sift dry ingredients together.
4
Add alternately to mixing bowl with the milk.
5
Beat until well mixed.
6
Dump onto lightly floured surface & knead until dough is smooth.
7
Place in sealed bag or covered bowl. Chill several hours.
8
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
9
Roll dough on floured surface taking care to not add too much flour. The thinner the cookie the crispier it will be. I prefer them softer so leave my dough about 1/4-1/3 inch thick.
10
Cut as desired. Place on ungreased cookie sheets with room to expand. Rolling the scraps together take care to not overwork the dough. The additional flour makes the cookies tougher.
11
Bake approx 10 minutes or until done & lightly brown. They should still be very white.
12
Cool a few minutes & then remove to cookie racks to finish cooling before decorating.
13
Glazing; Sift the powdered sugar to remove all lumps. Stir in the vanilla & the milk a tablespoon at a time. Whisk together until the desired consistency is reached. To use as a glaze I make it about the thickness of pancake batter. It is NOT spreadable like a frosting. Color as wanted to provide the background color.
14
Lay the cookies as close as possible on wax paper. Spoon the glaze over the cookies sparingly. Use the spoon to smooth the glaze to the edges of the cookies. Let dry.
15
If more decorating is planned the glaze does support both buttercream & royal icings.

1380

kcal

Calories

Fat

309

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 cups sugar, 1 cup vegetable shortening (no sub), 2 large eggs, beaten, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and more.

Yes, Barbara'S Tea Cakes (Cookies) falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Barbara'S Tea Cakes (Cookies)

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions