This time last year I was absolutely obsessed with the new Masterpiece Classic series on PBS, Downton Abbey. I'd heard the buzz for weeks preceding it's premiere and was instantly hooked after the first episode. After a long 11 month wait, it's finally back for the 2nd season and just as sublime! Which means, of course, I'm utterly enthralled again.
If you've never seen Downton Abbey, you don't know what you're missing! Seriously. You're also not too late to jump on the bandwagon. All of season 1 is available on dvd. You can also watch it/rent it on amazon, on netflix, and you can find the episodes free online as well so I hear. And the current season's episodes are on PBS's site now. Just a warning though, Downton Abbey is instantly addictive; prepare to immerse yourself in Edwardian era romance, history, & drama! Check out these fun Downton links as well:
100 Important Things To Know About Season 1 of Downton Abbey
Design Sponge's Living In Downton Abbey
English Tea Party Recipes from Joy Of Baking
All About Highclere Castle, the grand estate of Downton
Kelly Market's English Country Weekend
OMG A Quiz! Which Downton Abbey Character Are You
Fast forward to 2011, while I was at home over Christmas my Mom unearthed an old recipe box of hers she thought was long gone after a move many years ago. The recipe box was her very first after she & my Dad married, filled with old family recipes that included my Great-Grandmother's Chiffon Cake, another Great-Grandmother's Canadian War Cake, among many others. What a treasure this find was and at the most special time of the year! The one I'm sharing with y'all today is my British Nana Lena's Orange Tea Cakes. She and my Aunt Lucy loved to have tea together with their friends. When I visited her as a little girl, I was allowed to indulge in afternoon tea time as well. And one of my favorite delicacies was her tea cakes. She made several different varieties, but the orange ones were definitely my top choice! The syrupy glaze alone grabbed my attention as I imagine it will yours as well once you try a taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- juice of 1 orange
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup ground raisins
- 1 tsp vanilla
- rind of orange
Syrup Topping Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup light Caro Syrup
- juice of 2 oranges
- pinch of salt
- The night before baking, using a food processor, grind raisins & orange rind and refrigerate in a sealed container overnight.
- Beat softened butter, sugar & eggs until creamy. Add flour, baking soda & powder and beat until well incorporated.
- Add buttermilk and orange juice a little at a time to the creamed butter & sugar mix. Then add in the vanilla.
- Next combine the ground raisins & orange rind to the batter and mix in well.
- Pour into mini-muffin molds/tins and bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes.
- While the tea cakes are baking, bring all of the syrup topping ingredients to a boil. Careful not to cook the syrup too thick, however.
- While the tea cakes are still warm, dip the tops into the syrup and let rest on waxed paper. They will be very sticky, but will set up in just 5-10 minutes. Now just try to eat only one...
Remember these little sweet treats the next time you sip on some hot tea or cozy up on the couch to watch the latest guilty pleasure, Downton Abbey.
As always, Mangia Mangia y'all!
10 comments:
yum! the tea cakes look + sound fabulous. i still haven't checked out downtown abbey but your post makes me want to give it a try. perhaps i shall!
Those tea cakes look sooooo good. I might have to use this recipe!
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
those recipes look yummy!
- Sara @ Gameday Stylist
My husband and I just started watching Downtown Abbey its on netflix. We really like it!
the cakes look delish!
xo
I need to start watching this and those tea cakes sound so yummy!
I haven't watched it yet. But this post intrigues me. Maybe I'll add it to my "must watch" list!
And I'd like the tea cakes no matter what!
Good morning from L.A.!
Ally, both the show and the tea cakes sound fabulous. And as much as Madeline and I enjoy taking tea, this will have to be on our next menu! What a wonderful find for you and your mother. I bet those recipe's hold many fond memories for your mother. Enjoy testing them out!
Warmly,
Elizabeth
PS~Thanks for such kind words regarding Madeline and her braces. We're all excited to see the end result. Two years to go...
I am newly obsessed with Downton Abbey. Actually I watched the whole first season between last Saturday and Wednesday thanks to the hubs being out of town. I couldn't resist taking that quiz. I'm a Matthew...which I think is pretty accurate!
Fearless Amy: They are good! It's a simple recipe, but I've always loved how moist the tea cakes remain - thanks to the syrup topping I'm sure. If you make them, let me know what you think!
Bonnie: Thanks so much for stopping by!
Sara: They are good - you should get in the kitchen & do some baking, girl ;)
Christina: Isn't it addictive? I've never been so hooked on a period drama before. Wish I could get my husband to watch it with me though. You'll have to tell my your secret ;)
Southern Hostess: You should! I know you'd love it.
Beth: You definitely should add it to your list - it's so good! Comes on PBS Sunday nights at 8pm Central time. Thanks doll!
Elizabeth: Oh that would tickle me to death. I hope y'all make them! You'll have to let me know what you think :) And you're so welcome. I hope sweet Madeline is adjusting well to her new braces!
Amy: Isn't is fabulous? I can't wait for every Sunday night! I took that quiz too & I'm a Matthew as well, haha! :)
Ok, that's it. I am going to jump on the Downtown Abby bandwagon. I've been seeing people tweet about it forever and just this past weekend I did see it was available on NetFlix. You've convinced me. :-)
Post a Comment