Teacake facts for kids
A teacake is a yummy baked treat that can be different depending on where you are in the world!
In England, a teacake is usually a soft, sweet bun with dried fruit inside, like currants or sultanas. People often toast it, spread butter on it, and enjoy it with a cup of tea.
But in the United States, a teacake might be a type of cookie or a small cake. In Sweden, it's a soft, round, flat bread made with milk and a little sugar, often used for sandwiches. And in places like India and Australia, a teacake is more like a simple butter cake.
A toasted English teacake (right) shown with mocha
|
|
| Type | Sweet roll |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Flour |
Contents
Teacakes Around the World
Teacakes in England
In most parts of England, a teacake is a light, sweet bun. It's made with yeast and has dried fruits like currants or sultanas. People usually slice it open, toast it, and add butter. It's a popular snack to have with tea.
These teacakes are flat and round. They have a smooth brown top and a lighter bottom. Sometimes, in places like East Lancashire or Yorkshire, people say "currant teacake" to show it has fruit. This helps tell it apart from a plain bread roll.
In West Yorkshire, a very large plain bread roll is also called a teacake. These can be about 9 inches (225 mm) wide! They are often used to make big sandwiches. Many cafes sell them for breakfast or snacks.
In some northern areas like Barnsley, a teacake is just a round bread roll. It doesn't have any dried fruit. People often cut these rolls in half to make sandwiches. A fun way to eat them is to slice them into "fingers," toast them, and spread them with butter and Bovril or Marmite.
Teacakes in Scotland
In Scotland, there's a very famous treat called the Tunnock's Teacake. It's a sweet biscuit base topped with a fluffy, white marshmallow-like dome. This dome is then covered in chocolate.
The Tunnock's Teacake is very special in Scotland. It was even part of the opening ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games!
Teacakes in Sweden and Finland
In Sweden, a teacake is called tekaka. It's a sweet wheat bread made with yeast. People usually eat it warm with butter and jam. It's also often served with cheese.
Finland has a similar bread called teeleipä.
Teacakes in the United States
In the southeastern part of the United States, a teacake is a traditional, thick, large cookie. It's made with sugar, butter, eggs, flour, milk, and flavorings. These cookies are especially linked to the African-American community. They were first made to be like the pastries served by white women when they had guests.
Teacakes in Australia and India
In Australia and India, a teacake is usually a butter cake. It's often baked quickly and served warm from the oven. The main ingredients are flour, eggs, butter, and sugar.
Australian teacakes are often sprinkled with cinnamon and fine sugar. They are usually served warm with extra butter. In India, recipes for teacakes do not use cinnamon.
See also
In Spanish: Teacake para niños
