If you’re looking for instructions on how to make a cinnamon tea cake look no further.
This is one of the simplest and most delicious tea cake recipes you’ll ever make.
How to make cinnamon tea cake
‘It’s tea cake day’.
A few years back I learned that in my last year of school, Mum and Dad would wake up on a Sunday and Mum would turn to Dad and say ‘it’s tea cake day.’
On Sundays, we often had ‘Sunday lunch’ which was typically a BBQ chicken, a scotch loaf (the most delicious, soft, white fluffy bread) and probably salad but back then I wasn’t a salad eater.
I was pretty much white food only. Don’t worry I’ve come a long way.
I got into a little bit of a habit of whipping up a tea cake (topped with cinnamon sugar) every Sunday afternoon after lunch. It became my Sunday routine.
Half of it, I’d slice up and pop in the freezer for my morning tea throughout the week and the rest, well let’s just say it was enjoyed.
My favourite piece was the crunchy end and I’d often lather the slice in butter while it was still warm.
Now, being a mum who has to make school lunches every day I can’t wait for the day my boys bake something for their lunchboxes on a Sunday arvo!
Wow
– JUL
Have to say one of the best cakes I’ve ever had.
So moist so delicious. I sprinkled cinnamon sugar over the top as I mixed cinnamon in the cake mix & will definitely be making it over & over again.
Thanks Claire so much for sharing.
Cinnamon tea cake is the first cake I ever learned to make.
My Grandma Guppy, who died last month at the grand age of 100 (almost 100.5), taught me in her kitchen when I was about 4 or 5 and I have inherited the original ‘tea cake tin’ which bares a few dints and marks from its many years use out in the bush before starting city life.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget memories of making tea cake with her and lathering it in butter then sprinkling on the cinnamon and sugar – which had to be in the perfect ratio of cinnamon to sugar.
You might also like cinnamon pound cake.
If I close my eyes I am there.
I can smell the cake and the cinnamon and see her hands. I can see the plate too. A small, side-plate size with yellow around the outside and a blue trim. It’s memories like that that help me get through the grief.
I just made this tonight, and it was my first bake from scratch – it was amazing! The recipe was very easy to follow. I took advice from another review and added some extra cinnamon (I love it so much) and couldn’t be happier with the results. Thank you for this. It’s going to be a new tradition in my family as well :)
– Kate
I can’t wait to teach my boys to make it too and keep the memory alive.
I’ve made it more times than I can remember and I still love it just as much as I did when I was little.
So much so that a few year ago, I made a little video of it (yes I look rather a lot younger – that’s because I was – pre kids!).
Baking in progress
Apart from the fact that it now reminds me so much for my beloved Guppy, it’s also budget friendly, easy enough for kids to make and really quick.
Plus, it’s made out of ingredients you most likely already have at home yet another reason why I love this cake and I know you will too.
Oh and… you can make it into cupcakes if you want or add two tablespoons of cocoa to make a chocolate cake. So it’s versatile as well.
What is tea cake and where did it come from?
If you guessed that tea cake originated in the UK you are correct. This type of cake was originally created as a breakfast or mid-morning food served to the workforce who couldn’t get home for food.
Other sources claim that it got its name from being the cake served with tea in the afternoon in classic English cultures. I personally wouldn’t mind it at any of these times.
One thing that seems to be agreed upon is that it is traditionally served spread with butter (I looove it spread with butter when it’s still warm).
Some also claim that the original tea cake contained dried raisins or sultanas that had been soaked in tea before being added to the cake.
Can you use margarine in place of butter in tea cake?
In terms of the cake turning out – yes you can use butter in place of margarine. BUT, I am highly against margarine. It really isn’t great stuff usually loaded with trans fat which can contribute to heart disease. It’s factory-made stuff and I’m all for natural as much as possible.
What about you?
What’s the first cake you ever baked?
Do you still make it?
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If you’re after a healthier cinnamon delight then you’ll love my Paleo cinnamon pancakes.
How to make cinnamon tea cake
A delicious, light and fluffy cake that's quick and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- ½ cup caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup self raising flour
- 3 tbsp caster sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon for sprinkling
- butter for spreading
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 175C fan-forced and grease and line a loaf tin so that the paper extends over the sides.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until soft and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla and beat until mixed through.
- Add 1/3 of the flour then 1/3 of the milk and continue adding and mixing like this until the batter is smooth.
- Spread the batter into the tin and bake for 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Quickly turn the cake onto a plate or wire rack right-side-up and spread it with butter.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top.
- Eat while still warm.
I was flooded back with memories of my younger years when I learnt this as my 1st Cake recipe at school. When I went home with my Creation it took my Grandfather back 2 his childhood needless to say our family also had a Regular weekly Teacake & I so Enjoyed Baking it for my Family. I’ve gotten lazy over the years I think a new tradition I may start with my Grandchildren. Thank You.
Oh that makes me so happy to hear Cheree. It’s a cake filled with wonderful memories for me.
I just made this tonight, and it was my first bake from scratch – it was amazing! The recipe was very easy to follow. I took advice from another review and added some extra cinnamon (I love it so much) and couldn’t be happier with the results. Thank you for this. It’s going to be a new tradition in my family as well :)
Your welcome, I am glad you liked it and it is a nice feeling to start family traditions.
Hi Claire the recipe sounds amazing. Would you please be able to tell me how much butter in g. Thank you
Hi Georgia. About 60g.
Hi Claire, I checked your recipe because I’ve also used a Cinnamon Teacake recipe since my children were very young.It was my ‘go to’ when I needed a recipe that was quick and made from pantry ingredients, especially when unexpected visitors are due!!
Mine differs in that it is done in a shallow small-ish round tin (I was imagining wedges in your school lunch box!! :-) )
A variation is to mix the caster sugar with double the amount of cinnamon(cos I love it!)and also desiccated coconut,to sprinkle on top.
Oh that would be so delicious Sandra!
Made this tea cake tonight, two types- the plain one, and then the second, I added some stewed apple, then icing, and it tasted like warm apple pie. Yum!
Oh the extra apple would be delicious Kylee!
what is 175c fan-forced? I have no idea of how to convert this information to bake in a conventional electric oven . . . please help! i do so want to bake this cake – it looks positively lovely and delicious!!
Hi Lynda. 175C fan-forced is 195C convection. Good luck!
thank you, Claire! ….however, i am in Georgia, in the United States and i do not have a clue about Celsius temperature. I will be baking in a conventional electric oven just like my mother had that is marked in Fahrenheit. in my whole life, i have never used Celsius. Once again, thank you!
Ahh no problem. In that case it is 380F. Happy baking!
Wow
Have to say one of the best cakes I’ve ever had.
So moist so delicious. I sprinkled cinnamon sugar over the top as I mixed cinnamon in the cake mix & will definately be making it over & over again.
Thanks Clair so much for sharing.
You’re very welcome Jul. So glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of my favourites.
Made this cake while dinner was cooking, it was so easy and quick! The whole cake was eaten for dessert, definitely making another one soon. Thanks for a great recipe :)
I find myself doing a lot of my baking while dinner’s cooking. Great idea Sara! It’s such a yummy cake isn’t it?
Oh it is! I’ve made another three since then, and they all went very quickly :)
Yum!
Just made your tea cake….delicious! Thank you.
Have you tried Annabelle Langbein’s (not sure of the spelling) strawberry cloud cake? So easy and perfect for hot weather. It is a biscuit base and a strawberry sorbet top that is frozen. Heavenly.
Thanks again,
Didee
Oh Didee I haven’t but it sounds amazing. I’ll have to look it up!
I just made it! and it turned out great! first good cake I make in my life! THANK YOU
Yay Ahlam! It was my first perfect cake too!
Can’t wait to try this!
Tea cake Sundays sound like a tradition I would love. Especially love the idea of having sliced, ready to eat cake in the freezer.
It’s lovely knowing a slice of cake is just a 30 second microwave zap away isn’t it?!
That is just the sweetest looking cake, Claire! Great job! :)
Thanks Celia!
What a lovely cake. Cooking with family is always a special occasion.
It’s one of my favourite things to do with the family!
Aww I love that this was the first cake that you made and that your mum and grandma showed you! :D
I’m lucky to have learned from two wonderful cooks!
It must be the American in me because I’ve never eaten a cinnamon tea cake. I will make sure I can never say that again because I’m going to make this on Sunday. :)
Yay Maureen! Let me know how you like it!
I used to make a cinnamon tea cake and it was one of the first things I learned to make and it had a cinnamon sugary topping on it that was rubbed with butter, a bit like a crumble. It was so delicious and we’d have it for afternoon tea with some softly whipped cream. Delicious. Your post has brought back some memories! Great looking cake, Claire xx
It seems to be one of the first cakes a lot of people made! x