There’s something about a warm, soft tea cake that brings comfort and joy. This almond glazed tea cake is one of those delightful treats that you’ll want to share with loved ones, or maybe just enjoy quietly with a cup of tea.
It’s simple, yet incredibly satisfying—perfect for family gatherings or when you need something sweet but not overly complicated.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake:
- 250g Astra Margarine (or butter if you prefer).
- 200g sugar.
- 300g flour.
- 2 tsp baking powder.
- 1/4 tsp salt.
- 4 eggs.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- 1 1/2 tsp almond extract.
- 1/4 cup milk.
For the Almond Glaze:
- 1 cup icing sugar, sifted.
- 1 1/2 tbs water.
- 1/4 tsp almond extract.
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds for sprinkling.
Let’s Get Baking! 🧁
1. Preheat and Prep:
First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C and line an 8×8 inch square tray with parchment paper. This ensures your cake doesn’t stick and comes out looking perfect!
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside. This step helps create a light, fluffy texture.
3. Cream the Astra and Sugar:
In a stand mixer, cream together the Astra margarine and sugar until it’s pale and creamy. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to get everything mixed in well.
4. Add Eggs One by One:
Now, add in the eggs one at a time, beating for a minute between each addition. This gives the cake its richness and structure. Once all eggs are incorporated, add in the vanilla extract and mix for another minute.
5. Fold in the Dry Ingredients:
Using a spatula, fold in the dry ingredients in three batches. Be gentle and avoid overmixing! You want your cake to be tender and light. Once that’s done, fold in the milk and almond extract.
6. Bake to Perfection:
Pour the batter into your lined tray and smooth it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before moving on to the glaze.
Time to Make the Almond Glaze 🌟
While the cake is cooling, it’s time to whip up the glaze. In a bowl, mix together the sifted icing sugar, water, and almond extract until smooth and shiny.
Glaze and Finish:
Once the cake has cooled, pour the glaze over the top and sprinkle the chopped almonds generously. It adds such a lovely crunch to the soft cake! Now slice and enjoy—deliciousness awaits!
Handy Tips:
- Don’t overmix: When folding in the flour, be gentle. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your eggs and Astra margarine are at room temperature. It helps everything mix together smoothly.
- Storage: This tea cake can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days, though it rarely lasts that long in my house! 😋
People Also Asked:
- Can I substitute butter for Astra margarine?
Absolutely! Butter works just as well in this recipe, giving the cake a richer flavor. - Can I add other flavors?
You can experiment by adding a dash of lemon zest or even some dried fruits like cranberries.
Almond Glazed Tea Cake
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 250 g Astra Margarine
- 200 g sugar
- 300 g flour sifted
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp almond extract
- ¼ cup milk
Almond Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup icing sugar sifted
- 1 ½ tbs water
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- ¼ cup almonds chopped for sprinkling
Instructions
Cake Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Line a 8×8 inch square tray with parchment paper.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and set aside.
- Cream Astra Margarine and sugar until pale and creamy.
- Add one egg at a time, beating for 1 minute after each.
- Add vanilla extract and beat for 1 more minute.
- Fold in flour in 3 batches, gently fold in milk and almond extract.
- Pour batter into prepared tray and smooth evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before glazing.
Almond Glaze Instructions
- Mix icing sugar, water, and almond extract until smooth.
- Place cooled cake on serving plate and pour glaze on top.
- Sprinkle with chopped almonds.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the cake cools completely before applying the glaze to prevent it from melting off.
- For added texture, lightly toast the almonds before sprinkling on the cake.
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