Excellent Tea Cake

Excellent Tea Cake

A delightful yeast-raised tea cake that sits perfectly between a rich bread and a light cake, similar to a traditional brioche or panettone. This Parsi classic combines fine wheat flour with fresh butter and eggs, creating a tender, airy crumb studded with sweet currants and brightened by zesty lemon peel. Best enjoyed warm with a generous spread of butter alongside your afternoon tea.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound All-purpose flour (Originally 'Wheat flour No. 1'. Approx 3.5 to 4 cups.)
  • 1/4 pound Unsalted butter (Originally '01 Ratal' (interpreted as 1/4 lb or 1 stick). Plus extra for greasing.)
  • 1/4 pound Granulated sugar (Originally 'Sher Vya' (1/4 Sher). Approx 1/2 cup.)
  • 2 ounces Dried currants (Originally '1 Navtank'. Approx 1/3 cup.)
  • 4 whole Eggs (Fresh)
  • 1/2 cup Whole milk (Originally 'Sher Vya' (1/4 Sher liquid measure). Warm.)
  • 1 tablespoon Active dry yeast (Originally '1 spoon khamir'.)
  • 1 lemon Lemon zest (Finely chopped peel of 1 lemon.)

Instructions

  1. 1Wash the currants thoroughly and dry them. Dust them with a small amount of flour to coat them evenly (this prevents them from sinking in the batter).
  2. 2In a large mixing bowl (or tinned vessel), rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs and the butter is thoroughly incorporated.
  3. 3In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, warm milk, yeast, and finely chopped lemon peel until well combined.
  4. 4Add the liquid mixture to the flour and butter mixture. Mix thoroughly to form a uniform dough. Cover the bowl and place it in a warm, draft-free spot. Let it rise until the yeast is active and the dough has puffed up (approximately 1 to 1.5 hours).
  5. 5Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently. Add the sugar and the prepared currants. Knead or mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly throughout the dough.
  6. 6Transfer the dough into a buttered cake tin or loaf pan. Let it rest for about 15-20 minutes to rise slightly again. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
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