Mama Reed's Halloween Tea Cakes

I have been dying to make Mama Reed's Southern Tea Cakes ever since I saw them at Southern Plate. They just looked so pretty and pink and I knew it was something we would love. Plus it was a fun activity that me and the kids could do together. We have been wanting to make some cookies and try out our new Halloween Cookie Cutters we bought, so this was the perfect recipe.

I took a couple pictures while i was preparing the Tea cakes, but if you want a full picture tutorial and a wonderful story click on the Southern Plate link above. I think what I liked most about this recipe is that the dough was really easy to work with and the cookies were not really sweet. My children love sugar cookies, so this recipe reminded of their favorite cookie.

I took great pride in making this recipe, I kept in mind just how special these tea cakes were to Christy's family. I handled the dough delicately just as the recipe stated, I kept thinking I would mess it up if i handled the dough to much. My daughter wanted to play with the dough as she helped roll it out and i reminded her that we needed to treat the dough delicately. She said what does that mean? I told her we need to be gentle with the dough. She said OK and proceeded to touch it with a slight hand and say gentle!!!! She cracks me up.

I told her this recipe is a old old family recipe just like our recipe for Nana's Christmas Butter Cookies we make every year. She said mom where did you get this recipe? I know Mackenzie said Southern Plate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IKE'S I have been found out Christy. She said you love that site and I told he yep I do. Christy I hope we did Mama Reed proud. This will definitely be a part of my family now. We wanted to celebrate the Halloween Holiday, so we made Mama Reeds Southern Tea Cakes Halloween Style.

Rolling the dough and getting ready to cut out some cookies

we made bats, ghosts and pumpkins.

In the oven they go....

Cooled and ready to frost

I have my little helper Mackenzie. She will probably bail on me as soon as she frosts that first cookie and eats it. LOL

So pretty! Happy Halloween Everyone.

Mama Reed's Southern Tea Cakes

1 - cup butter or margarine
1 - cup sugar
3 - eggs
3 1/2 cups self rising flour {no substitutes}
1- teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix again. Add vanilla and flour and mix well. Roll thin on floured board, cut with cookie or biscuit cutter. Bake at 350 for ten minutes. Sprinkle with sugar while warm or ice with simple icing.


Simple Icing

4 - tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
1 - cup powdered sugar
4 - tablespoons milk (can add more if needed)
2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
Few drops food coloring

Cut butter into powdered sugar. Add milk and stir until lumps are gone. Add one teaspoon of vanilla and a few drops of food coloring, stir until combined. Spoon onto cookies or tea cakes and spread with back of spoon. Top with sprinkles while still wet, if desired. Let dry before stacking.