Sherlock Holmes Foggy London Tea Cakes Recipe
Sherlock Holmes Foggy London Tea Cakes are delicate, tender scones inspired by the foggy streets of London. These lightly sweetened tea cakes feature a buttery crumb and a dusting of powdered sugar that creates a ‘London fog’ effect, making them a perfect companion to a warm cup of Earl Grey tea.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 tea cakes 1x
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl until evenly combined.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with small pea-sized pieces.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the large egg, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Knead Gently: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently 4 to 5 times to bring it together without making it tough.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch round cutter to cut out the tea cakes. Gather scraps and gently re-roll if necessary.
- Bake: Place the cut dough rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a little space between them. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Cool and Dust: Allow the tea cakes to cool completely on a wire rack. Just before serving, dust generously with powdered sugar to create the signature ‘London fog’ appearance.
Notes
- Use cold butter straight from the refrigerator to ensure flaky, tender tea cakes.
- Do not overwork the dough to keep the texture light and delicate.
- Dust with powdered sugar just before serving to achieve the classic foggy look.
- These tea cakes pair beautifully with a cup of Earl Grey tea for an authentic London tea experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tea cake
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Sherlock Holmes, London tea cakes, tea cakes, scones, baked goods, British desserts, Earl Grey, teatime treats
