We’ve pulled together a selection of our favourite sweet and fluffy butter cake and tea cake recipes to enjoy alongside your mid-morning or afternoon cuppa.
Butter cakes are a great place to start if you’re new to baking. They’re easy to make and a great base from which to explore different flavour combinations. They’re also perfect for decorated cakes such as children’s party cakes.
Our tea cake recipes are also great for beginner bakers. These simple cakes are sweet and often gently spiced, like the perennial favourite cinnamon tea cake. Fruit varieties are common as well, with apple the most popular fruity addition to a tea cake. You’ll find plenty of apple – and apple and cinnamon – tea cakes below to try out. Happy baking!
One-bowl butter cake
Raspberry dream cake
Luscious lemon cake
Gluten-free raspberry and lemon syrup cake
Classic cinnamon tea cake
Apple tea cake
Apple and custard teacake
Honey and vanilla cake
Basic butter cake
Cherry, almond & brown butter cake
Rhubarb custard tea cake
Raspberry and custard tea cake
Rhubarb cake with crumble topping
Citrus butter cake
Orange blossom and raspberry angel food cake
Spicy apple tea cake
Apple cinnamon tea cake
Rhubarb, pear and pomegranate custard tea cakes
Passionfruit butter cakes
Vanilla butter cake
Caramelised apple and cinnamon tea cakes
Polka dot butter cake
Are there any cakes made with actual tea?
Yes! Tea can be used as a flavouring for many desserts. Earl Grey is particularly favoured among bakers. The tea is a wonderful flavour pairing with chocolate, as well as sweet cake and dessert recipes that incorporate fresh fruit or vegetables. Try these recipes below and you’ll see what we mean:
- Earl grey, apple & zucchini muffins
- Earl grey and chocolate cheesecake
- Lemon and earl grey chiffon cake
More recipes for beginner bakers
If you’re new to baking, following our Test Kitchen Tested recipes will help build your confidence as you learn the skills required for a perfect bake every time.
One of the first steps is to get to know your oven. They all have their own quirks, and learning what they are will help you achieve great bakes. You may also need to stock up on some essential baking equipment. If you’re going to be baking a lot, a stand mixer is a worthwhile investment.
Once that’s all sorted, try one of these easy baking recipes – they’re kid-friendly too.
