Vanilla Tea Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) flour
• ½ cup (100g) sugar
• ¼ cup (55g) butter
• 2 tbsp (20g) oil
• 2 eggs _{(or replace 1 egg with with 1/4 cup dahi - 1/2 cup or 100 gms for eggless version)}
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ cup (120g) lukewarm milk (adjust for consistency)
• 1 tsp good-quality vanilla extract

There’s something about the aroma of vanilla that instantly feels like home. This simple tea cake is soft, buttery, and perfect with your evening chai. The best part? You don’t even need an oven to make it! Whether you’re a beginner baker or just craving a quick homemade treat, this recipe will never fail you.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). If you don’t have one, preheat a thick-bottomed kadhai with a lid on medium heat for 10 minutes.
2. Grease and line a cake tin or any heatproof dish that fits your kadhai or oven.
3. Cream together the butter, sugar, and oil until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs (or dahi) and vanilla extract, and mix well until fully incorporated.
5. Sift flour and baking powder together, then gently fold them into the wet mixture.
6. Gradually add the lukewarm milk to form a smooth, pourable batter.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. For kadhai baking: Place the tin on a stand inside the preheated kadhai, cover with a lid, and bake for the same duration on low-medium heat.

Quick Tips

• No vanilla extract? Add a few drops of essence or even a pinch of cardamom for a desi twist.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
• Serving idea: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for a fancier version.