If you’re looking for a treat that’s beautifully simple, delightfully tender, and perfect alongside a cup of your favorite tea, this Irish Tea Cake is about to become your go-to recipe. It bakes up with a golden crust, a moist crumb, and just the right touch of sweetness, making it equally at home at a cozy brunch or as a last-minute dessert when friends stop by. Irish Tea Cake delivers old-fashioned flavor with pantry staples, and it’s the kind of recipe that invites you to slow down and savor the little things. Whether you serve it with fresh berries, a dollop of cream, or just a dusting of powdered sugar, you’ll fall in love with its understated charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about this Irish Tea Cake is how straightforward the ingredients are — there’s nothing complicated here, just simple essentials that work together to create irresistible texture and flavor. Each one plays an important part in building that classic cake softness and buttery taste you’ll crave again and again.
- Unsalted Butter: Brings that rich, creamy base; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing and the best texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds the perfect level of sweetness, letting the vanilla and buttery notes shine.
- Large Eggs: Act as the cake’s structure, ensuring a tender crumb and lovely rise.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, fragrant depth into each slice — pure comfort in a bottle.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cake, giving it a soft, sturdy bite without being heavy.
- Baking Powder: Your secret for that gentle lift and airy texture Irish Tea Cake is known for.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance and enhance all the other flavors.
- Milk: Keeps everything moist and adds a subtle richness to the crumb.
- Powdered Sugar: For that delicate finishing touch on top — classic, pretty, and a hint of extra sweetness.
How to Make Irish Tea Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when your batter is. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent sticking and to help your cake release cleanly once it’s baked. Taking these small steps ensures a hassle-free finish!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Spend about 2 to 3 minutes here — you’re looking for a pale, fluffy mixture that signals air has been nicely whipped in. This step is key to the signature lightness of Irish Tea Cake.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This gradual process keeps the batter silky-smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract next; as soon as it hits the bowl, you’ll notice the gorgeous aroma lifting through your kitchen!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the baking powder and salt distribute evenly, helping your Irish Tea Cake rise beautifully and taste perfectly balanced in every bite.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing gently after each addition. Stop as soon as the batter is just combined — this keeps your cake tender, not tough.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be lightly golden with a delicate spring to the touch. Allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 7: Cool and Finish with Powdered Sugar
Once the Irish Tea Cake is completely cool, dust generously with powdered sugar. This final flourish is not just for looks — it adds a little sparkle and a touch of extra sweetness to every mouthful.
How to Serve Irish Tea Cake
Garnishes
A classic dusting of powdered sugar is all this Irish Tea Cake needs to shine, but you can always add your own twist! Fresh berries, a few mint leaves, or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream elevate each slice and add beautiful color to your presentation.
Side Dishes
This charming cake feels just right with steaming hot tea (naturally!), but it also pairs brilliantly with coffee or even a glass of cold milk. For a special occasion, serve slices alongside a simple fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for contrast and a satisfying finish.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re sharing Irish Tea Cake at a gathering, try arranging the slices on a tiered cake stand or serving squares (if you bake it in a square pan). For an afternoon tea, layer slices with berries and cream in individual dessert glasses for a trifle-inspired twist that looks as inviting as it tastes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Irish Tea Cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cake stays moist and flavors meld beautifully overnight, making the leftovers just as delightful as the first slice.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, Irish Tea Cake freezes well. Once cooled completely, wrap individual slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To refresh a leftover slice, pop it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back that just-baked softness. If you prefer a slightly crisp edge, warm a slice in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes before serving.
FAQs
Can I bake Irish Tea Cake in a different shaped pan?
Absolutely! A 9-inch round pan is traditional, but a square pan works just as well and makes slicing neat and easy. Just keep an eye on the bake time — thinner layers may bake a little faster.
Is this cake supposed to be very sweet?
Irish Tea Cake is intentionally light on sweetness to make it the perfect companion for tea or coffee and toppings like berries or cream can add natural sweetness if you like. It’s wonderfully versatile for all palates.
Can I add fruit or nuts to the batter?
Definitely! Try folding in a handful of currants, dried cherries, or chopped nuts before baking for an extra burst of flavor and texture. Just be careful not to overload the batter so the cake stays light.
Does this recipe work with gluten-free flour?
You can use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour to make a gluten-free version of Irish Tea Cake. The crumb may be slightly different, but you’ll still get that delicate taste and texture.
How do I know when the cake is fully baked?
The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges gently pull away from the pan. The top should look golden and feel springy to the touch — don’t overbake, as you want it moist and tender.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried baking an Irish Tea Cake before, I promise you’ll be impressed by how something so humble can be so rewarding. No fancy ingredients, just classic comfort you’ll come back to again and again. I encourage you to give this recipe a try, share it with friends, and enjoy every last crumb — it might just become your new favorite too!
Print
Irish Tea Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and simple recipe for Irish Tea Cake that pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee. This tender and moist butter cake is lightly sweetened with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until combined.
- Bake: Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- This simple cake is lightly sweet and perfect with tea or coffee.
- For extra flavor, serve with fresh berries and whipped cream.
- It can also be baked in a square pan for easy slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
