Description
Delight in the cozy charm of Sherlock Holmes Foggy London Tea Cakes, perfect for an afternoon treat. These lightly sweetened, tender tea cakes dusted with powdered sugar capture the misty essence of London fog, combining simple ingredients into a comforting baked delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 0.75 cups Granulated Sugar (or alternative sweeteners)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder (fresh)
Wet Ingredients
- 0.5 cups Unsalted Butter (cold and cubed; plant-based butter for dairy-free)
- 1 large Egg (or flaxseed egg for vegan alternative)
- 0.5 cups Whole Milk (or plant-based milk)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (pure)
Finishing
- 0.5 cups Powdered Sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder to ensure even distribution of leavening and flavor.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, creating a tender crumb.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, whole milk, and vanilla extract until combined and smooth to add moisture and flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing gently to form a soft dough avoiding overmixing which can toughen the cakes.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 4-5 times until it comes together into a cohesive ball, preparing it for shaping.
- Shape Tea Cakes: Roll or pat the dough to about 1 inch thick and use a round cutter to cut out tea cakes. Transfer them carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet ensuring spacing for expansion.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the tea cakes for 12-15 minutes or until the tops are a light golden color and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and Dust: Transfer the tea cakes to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar to create the signature foggy appearance before serving.
Notes
- Use cold butter to ensure flaky, tender texture in the tea cakes.
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flaxseed egg and use plant-based milk and butter alternatives.
- Be cautious not to overmix the dough after adding wet ingredients to maintain a light texture.
- Ensure baking powder is fresh for proper rise and fluffiness.
- Powdered sugar dusting is key to achieve the ‘foggy’ visual effect reminiscent of London fog.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with tea for an authentic cozy afternoon experience.
