Sweet Delicate and Complex
This has been one of the coldest winters in years. We have snow, everywhere. Everything is covered in white. I have realised that this is also one of the best times for food photography. I have enjoyed taking photos this week. It takes a shorter time, and the photos are great. There is always something nice in a bad situation, if you can find it. What is the weather like wherever you are? Yesterday the banks of River Thames broke, so my dear friends in the UK, along the River Thames are being evacuated and thousands more are at risk. I’m so sorry about this terrible situation. I hope things will get better with time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
During the Christmas holidays, we developed a habit of taking afternoon tea. It was fun but I doubt it did any good to the goal of cutting down 4 inches around my waistline. Now I have to work even harder because I probably gained 2 inches, instead. The Cinnamon Tea Cake was one of our favourites. It’s so easy to make and such a pleasure to eat. The secret is to melt some butter, brush it on top of the warm cake and sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar. Served with some whipped cream and fruits in season, it makes a perfect accompaniment to the precious afternoon tea. You can think of other fun ingredients to sprinkle on top of the cake. I love cinnamon, with its sweet, delicate and complex taste, so I stopped thinking and just decided to enjoy the cake the way it was meant to be. I hope you’ll like this simple cake. Now click on for the recipe.
- Ingredients
- 160g (5.6oz, 1¼ cups) all purpose flour
- 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 85g (30z, ¾ stick) butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (extract)
- 120g (½ cup, 4.5oz) sugar
- 1 egg
- 120mls (½ cup, 4fl oz) buttermilk
- 15g (1 tablespoon) butter, extra, melted
- 1 tablespoon castor sugar extra
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, extra
Please always remember to assemble all ingredients before you start
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour an 7 inch (18 cm) round pan (tin). Sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Combine butter, sugar and vanilla extract in a bowl,
And beat the butter, sugar and vanilla essence (extract) until light and fluffy. Add egg
and beat until combined.
Add the sifted flour and buttermilk
and stir to to mix (if using a hand mixer like me)
then using a hand mixer beat on medium speed until smooth.
Spoon into prepared tin and bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven, let stand for 5 minutes and then transfer onto a cooling rack to cool
Make cinnamon sugar by combining cinnamon and extra sugar. If you prefer more cinnamon, add to suite your palate
Cinnamon Sugar
Brush the cake with the extra butter
and sprinkle with combined extra sugar and cinnamon
This cake tasted really nice
I served it with strawberries and cream
I really hope you’ll enjoy it too!
Cinnamon Tea Cake
Preparation time: 20 minutes; Baking time: 40-45 minutes; Makes: 8 slices
Ingredients
- 160g (5.6oz, 1¼ cups) all purpose flour
- 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 85g (30z, ¾ stick) butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (extract)
- 120g (½ cup, 4.5oz) sugar
- 1 egg
- 120mls (½ cup, 4fl oz) buttermilk
- 15g (1 tablespoon) butter, extra, melted
- 1 tablespoon castor sugar extra
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, extra
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour an 7 inch (18 cm) round pan (tin). Sift flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
- Beat butter, sugar and vanilla essence (extract) until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat until combined.
- Stir in the sifted flour and buttermilk and beat on medium speed until smooth. Spoon into prepared tin and bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Brush with the extra butter and sprinkle with combined extra sugar and cinnamon.
- **I weigh the flour and butter. I do not use cup measures. The weight of a cup of flour tends to vary based on individual interpretation, publication and size of cup used (from 125g to 130g to 155g per cup)
- Cup measures based on assumption, 1 cup = 125g flour so that would be the US cup of 237ml, not the Australian Cup. The Australian cup = 155g flour so that would change cup measures.
Points to note:
- Please note that oven temperatures are given as a guideline only. You may need to add or reduce the suggested temperatures depending on your oven. I baked the cake at 375°F (190°C) for 40 minutes.
- I always weigh ingredients, especially the flour and butter. You can use cup measures, but please note if you scoop flour directly from the bag you will end up with 150-185 g of flour instead of the recommended 125g. I suggest you spoon the flour into the cup, heaping it up over the top, then slide a knife across the top to level off the extra. Be careful not to shake or tap the cup to settle down the flour or you will have more than you need. You can also sift the flour first then scoop. My best advice: please use a weighing scale.
myfavouritepastime.com
My Favourite Pastime 
As you know by now, I am crazy about food; I love looking at recipes, enjoy paging through blogs. But there is something special about yours…….. I always imagine the people that are lucky enough to pick up that fork and take a mouthfull! There is just so much love in your food 🙂
HI Afra,
Thank so much for the kind words. I’m deeply touched. I am so glad you find my favourite pastime special.. I wish you a lovely week. Best wishes,
Liz
It never snows here in Alicante where we live; the weather it’s nice most of the time but I personally miss some snow once in a while…
But one of the things I enjoy the most is afternoon tea. This cinnamon cake is just the wonderful companion. I can almost smell it from here.
Enjoy you Sunday, Liz 🙂
Besos
Mmm I would love to live in Alicante. I have just seen it’s on the Mediterranean Coast. How lovely. After all the snow we’ve had this year….I can’t miss snow right now. I just want it to melt. Afternoon tea was suspended for now but we still have an occasional afternoon when we have high tea with lots of freshly baked goods then we just call it a day…no dinner, perhaps a light dessert before bed. Thanks for visiting me. Maybe I can mail you a bag of snow…if only it were possible. Enjoy the coming week. Tomorrow is a holiday here, so we shall still be sleeping in. Best wishes!
Bisous….
Liz
Yum this sounds so delicious! I love cinnamon in everything and am definitely making this recipe!
Please enjoy the cake and give feedback if you can. Have a lovely weekend.
Liz
I’ve been away and just noticed that I’ve not been receiving your posts. I’ve just unsubscribed and subscribed to see if that will work. I’ve been told it might, Anywho ..
This is such a great looking cake, Liz. Cinnamon is a necessary part of winter. I love the aroma that fills the kitchen while it bakes. I bet it’s delicious!
Happy New Year John,
I’ve not been receiving your posts either…Last time I visited your blog you indicated you were away. I guess I have to do the follow-unfollow trick to see whether I can view your posts. I love Cinnamon. I drink it in my tea every morning, in form the of tea masala. The cake is delicious, of course. Hope you enjoyed your Valentine’s day and wish you a happy weekend. Bear Hugs to Max.
Liz
I’m sorry, Liz, and I should have noticed sooner that your posts were missing. I’m just so far behind. This morning there were still 700 notifications in my inbox! I’m going to have to cut my losses or I’ll forever be 2 or 3 weeks behind. Hope you had a great Valentin’s Day, too!
No worries, John. I’ve been so busy trying to catch up with so many things. 700 notifications…wow. That’s a lot. Enjoy your weekend. I see you’ve been cooking some really yummy dishes. Best wishes!
Liz
Hi, Liz! What a nice paring with tea indeed. I love cinnamon! I might try this to enjoy one weekend. Thanks for sharing. Pinning it! Have a safe and blessed weekend. Keep warm. 🙂
Hi Anna,
Thanks so much for pinning. I can’t remember when I last visited my Pinterest Board. I am sipping wine, by the fire…have a fantastic weekend. I am warm and toasty…Best wishes!
Liz
Oh, I’m so jealous! Sipping wine by the fire. I wish I could do the same. That’s good to hear, Liz. Have a great weekend. Warm regards. 🙂
Almost fell asleep by the fire. We have a lovely, sunny and great weekend. Best wishes
Liz
Relaxation with a cup of wine will do that to you. 🙂 Well, I might hit the sack early tonight, so I am well rested come school day. Warmest regards Liz. 🙂
~Anna
Thank you Anna. I have two more sleep ins…yeah. Have a good night.
Liz
My pleasure, Liz. 🙂
I so love cinnamon! Your pictures look so good, really! Thanks for sharing the recipe. It reminded me of a soft cinnamon-sugar donut I recently ate. Mmmm…
Mmm the soft cinnamon-sugar doughnut sounds delicious. Thanks for complimenting and have a wonderful weekend!
Liz
Beautiful cake 🙂
Thank you! Happy Valentine!
Liz
This cake must taste really lovely with the strawberry and cream Liz. Yummy !! Ralph xox 😀
Oh yes it does, Ralph, Want a virtual slice or two? Happy Valentine’s Day!
Liz
Two virtuous ones please 😉 xox
I hope you received and enjoyed them. Have a good evening!
Liz
Yummy. Thanks 😉
I think I would stick with the melted butter and cinnamon topping as you used. Anything with cinnamon becomes an instant favorite at our home. These types of simple cakes are wonderful to prepare for guests and I love the idea of serving a piece of the cake alongside the fresh fruit and whipped cream.
Hi Allison,
I’m glad you love cinnamon. I love whipped cream and fresh fruit. It’s my go to food when I want to spoil myself. Thanks so much for visiting and have a lovely evening!
Liz
This looks so wonderful. I love cinnamon tea cakes. I also love afternoon tea, unfortunately my waistline wouldn’t be nice to me if I did it too often! I am tempted now to bake a cake since we are in day two of being snowed and iced in. I already made Valentine cookies yesterday and have two loaves of bread in the oven now! I too am ready for spring!
Hi Mama D,
Thanks so much. I love cooking with cinnamon too. The afternoon tea was abandoned as soon as the new year began. You are so versatile, that’s why I always admire you. I haven’t baked anything for Valentine, I am trying to clear my backlog. Happy Valentine. I hope you enjoyed the bread, I love fresh bread but too lazy to bake. Enjoy valentine and have a great weekend.
Liz
We did enjoy the bread, especially as grilled cheese sandwiches last night. Sean was thrilled to have his swirl bread! We have baked for Valentine’s, but I haven’t blogged most of it. There just isn’t time. I am learning I can’t blog it all, just sit back and enjoy a good meal with family and blog when time allows.
Hi Again,
Of course you can’t blog it all. I have so many things I’ve cooked that are just hanging in the air. Maybe one day I shall find time to post them. I hope the weather has improved for you. We are having lovely temperatures today (-3C, 26F). For the first time in days, I actually enjoyed going outside. Happy Valentines! The valentine excitement is fading with age for me (LOL). My kids have a dance in school today…Best wishes,
Liz
The boys will have their Valentine parties at school next week. We enjoyed a Raclette dinner at my parents’ house last night. In my side of the family Valentine’s Day is a family day as it was my sister’s birthday so we still all try to celebrate together, all the more reason we were so upset my brother didn’t make it home. We don’t see him often at all and the day would have been special with him home. Oh well, we had a lovely time anyway.
Valentine parties…how nice. I am sorry to hear your brother didn’t make it home. Maybe next time. It’s good that you had a lovely time, in the end. That’s what matters. Have a lovely weekend!
Liz
I am enjoying all the posts as you clear your backlog! I am definitely enjoying all the homemade bread, the boys love it even more! I think I have created some bread monsters.
Ha ha I wish I was a bread monster living in your house. I love eating fresh bread but a bit lazy about baking it. We have lovely weather today. Full of sunshine!!! Enjoy your weekend. I have a long one….Best Wishes!
Liz
I have a long one too…or should I say a long week! Kids don’t go back to school until Wednesday. I am so confuses as to what day it is. As for the bread, it is a little work but so worth it. I admit to using my Kitchen Aid instead of kneading by hand. It is so easy ands till tastes great. I just pre ordered a bread cookbook from somebody who writes a blog, the recipes are focused on making the dough one day and baking the next. I am hoping I can get better organized that way! Enjoy the rest of your long weekend…I look forward to the day our boys sleep in. This morning they were up before 6!
Hi Mama D,
I know what you mean. I never know what day it’s during the holidays. I have never bought a Kitchen Aid. I just use a hand mixer. I would love to make the dough one day before and bake a lovely fresh loaf in the morning. What a brilliant idea. That does make one better organized. I went to the Laundromat today (3 weeks washing!!!!) I never got round to buying a new washer. I got hooked to occasional washing with long breaks in between. When the boys grow older, they will overdo the sleeping in. I always have to wake up my kids. They could easily sleep until lunch time. I hope you enjoy your week. Best wishes!
Liz
I can only dream that someday they will sleep in. Growing up I NEVER slept in, let’s hope they aren’t like me! Enjoy the week.
Ha ha so that’s why they wake up so early. Frankly speaking I’m an early riser too, but all my kids love sleeping except the little boy (13) he wakes up so early….enjoy your week too!
Liz
I’m thinkin’ a light chocolate/cinnamon drizzle would be good. My mother made something called Cottage Pudding that was a cake like this with a chocolate “coating” called “Richmond Chocolate Sauce”. Have never seen a recipe for either thing, and have been trying to dredge up the possibilities from my early childhood. No reason I can’t make it up as I go along – using your good starter here! Thanks for reminding me of this nice treat.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Looks like I screamed before I was scalded! A quick Google search provided the very recipe for the Richmond Chocolate Sauce!
Oh yes, I must make some Richmond Sauce, Soon….thanks Judie!
Liz
Hi Judie,
I have just looked up Richmond Chocolate Sauce, it sounds delicious so I’ll try making some the next time I bake some chocolate squares!!! Thanks for introducing me to this….
Virtual hugs to you too!
Liz
P/S I’ll be making the ginger cake soon but the recipe didn’t have any sugar…that was strange!
The molasses syrup provides the sweetness. It is not a sweet dessert. I guess that is why a popular topping is sweetened whipped cream. For more sweetness – a lemon sauce topping, or a light caramel drizzle of heavy cream, brown sugar, and butter.
Hi there Judie,
Thanks. I thought you’d forgotten to include the sugar (LOL). I’ll definitely try it. I don’t like very sweet cakes so that would be great for me. I’d go for the sweetened whipped cream. Good for lazy people like me. Have a great day!
Liz
I’ll expect pictures! ;->
Of course! You must know by now how much I love pictures. Will keep you posted.
Virtual Hugs…
Liz
I love cinnamon, and cake so this should be good!
Me too. Have a lovely weekend!
Liz
Liz, Beautiful cake, especially with the lovely cinnamon and sugar exterior. The texture looks so luscious, as well. I would gain a few inches if I could eat this every day for afternoon tea time. My thoughts with your friends in the UK, as well. Best wishes, Shanna
Hi Shanna,
Thank you for the kind words. The afternoon tea stopped with the start of the new year. Now we’re trying to lose the two inches gained. The weather is brutal this year, everywhere! Have a happy valentine and a fantastic weekend. Best….Liz
Simple and delicious 🙂
Thank you!
Liz
I’m a sucker for the taste of cinnamon. This looks wonderful. 🙂
Don’t worry. Two suckers right here…Hope you enjoyed Valentine’s Day?
Liz
I did. Thanks.
Another one that I might just have to try, cheers Liz. MM 🍀
Oh yes it’s so damn good! Cheers mate!
Liz
Another simple vintage treat!
I love how you present it, Liz. 😀
It will be the last day of the fifteen-day-celebration of Chinese New Year. There’ll be fruits everywhere! I think it would be fun to serve them with this cake!
Our local newspapers shows the photos of snow-covered places in North America. I hope you and your family are doing fine.
Hi Hari,
My house is like a little fortress, with high banks of snow around it, but I’m used to it now. Sometimes we miss the snow when it starts melting. I wish I could lay my hands on tropical fruits. You’re lucky, Hari. Happy Valentine’s Day. I hope you enjoyed the day!
Liz
I too had no idea about this situation. I hope it gets better soon.
The cake looks great as usual…. love the touch of cinnamon sugar on top. Thanks for sharing Liz 🙂
Oh yes the world is experiencing the Change of Climate even though we don’t want to accept. it Thanks for complimenting!
Liz
Yes, this year has been the coldest winters for some countries! Truly the climate is changing!
Coldest for us here. I can’t wait for spring…I shall be smiling throughout then. Enjoy your Sunday!
Liz
You too enjoy your Sunday 🙂
Thank You!
That’s so sad to hear about the UK. Hopefully the situation eases up soon.
It’s been quite the opposite here in Oz, very hot as you can probably imagine. But we’re having one of those cloudy humid days. Whilst still good for photography, cooking is of no use at the moment. Great idea for a cake Liz 🙂
You are so lucky to be having hot weather right now. Maybe we should swap…I cook, come rain, come shine, come snow, The cake was good. Enjoy the warm weather!
Liz
I sure could go a piece of this cake right now. We are in the middle of summer here so I could do with some of that snow too 🙂
Send me some sun and I’ll send you a mountain of snow. Enjoy your summer!
Liz
whoa, I had no idea the River Thames is overflowing! That’s terrible. We’re having better weather here in Vancouver, Canada. No snow, just rain. Regardless of weather, this cinnamon tea cake looks like it’d be perfect for any day of the year. I love your beautiful photos too. Makes me want to reach into my screen and grab a slice!
Mmm… so you are my neighbour on the opposite end of the spectrum, three hours time difference. Lucky you, I just wish spring would come tomorrow. Thank you for your kind comments and please grab a slice. Enjoy the rest of the week!
Liz