Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
T, the boys and I spent a week in Tasmania visiting family over the holidays. While it was great to see everyone it was also a little difficult to see both my Grandparents so unwell – my Grandmother is going through chemotherapy for breast cancer which she was diagnosed with 2 weeks after my Grandfather was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. My Grandmother, whom everyone who knows her calls her Nan, is a trooper and doesn’t let anything get her down and is focused on looking after my Grandfather. So focused that immediately after finishing each chemo session she’s straight back home and looking after my Grandfather almost as if she isn’t undergoing treatment. I really am amazed by her inner strength and determination and how nothing gets her down or stressed.
My New Year’s resolution is to take a leaf out of her book and take things in my stride and not get so stressed. I’m not sure why, but if there is something to stress about I will do it. I will stress about trying to make everyone happy, work, trying to be the perfect girlfriend and step-mother and anything else. So, it came as no surprise that the first day of my month long holiday from work, just prior to Christmas, that I contracted Shingles. It was a good thing though, as it’s the wake up call I needed to remind me that I need to learn to look after myself and handle stress better.
One of the things I find helps me relax is a cup of tea. Old fashioned I know, but sipping a cup of green or herbal tea feels so relaxing. There’s also science to it too in that tea contains Theanine, which is a chemical that has been found to reduce phyiscal and mental stress. And what better to serve with that tea than a slice of Tea Cake. Equally old fashioned but absolutely delicious.
This tea cake was inspired by a Tea Cake my Mum made during our visit to Tasmania. She made the old fashioned cinnamon Tea Cake I remember from my childhood to which she added blueberries. It was delicious and quickly devoured by all. For my Tea Cake I decided to pair the blueberries with lemon, and the cake was equally as delicious as my Mums.
I also thought I would share some of the photos I took whilst in Tasmania. I hope you enjoy.
Did you set yourself a New Years Resolution? How are you going with it so far?
Blueberry & Lemon Tea Cake Recipe
180g of butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup of raw caster sugar
zest of 1 lemon
250g of blueberries
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups of plain flour
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 cup of buttermilk
Topping
1 tablespoon of melted butter
1 tablespoon of caster sugar
zest of half a lemon
1. Preheat oven to 180 Celsius 350 Farenheit and grease a cake tin or line with baking paper.
2. In a mixer with a paddle attachment fitted cream the butter, lemon zest and sugar until pale.
3. Reduce the mixer to a low speed and add the eggs, one at a time, beating well in between each addition.
4. Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixture alternately with the buttermilk until just combined.
5. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold through the blueberries before pouring the mixture into your prepared cake tin.
6. Bake for 1 hour or until a cake tester comes out clean.
7. Cool the cake in the cake tin for 10 minutes before removing and placing on a wire cake rack.
8. Brush the top of the cake with the melted butter and mix together the caster sugar and lemon zest for the topping and sprinkle over the top of the cake.
Francy says
Fantastic cake! this is the real comfort food for me! also with a nice cup of green tea, of course!!! I am writing down the recipe, this is absolutely to do!! kisses! Francesca, Italy
frog in cottage says
gorgious photos !!! and your cake is irresistible !!
Esme says
This cake looks lovely-so sorry to hear about your grandparents. I just reviewed a book written by the sister of Susan Komen and Race for the Cure.
pavithra says
Wow the cake looks yummy beautiful texture..I simply love it. All other pictures are awesome…
My recent post THAI RED CURRY NOODLES – TRULY TONGUE TICKLING !!!
delicieux says
Thank you so much Pavithra ๐
Not Quite Nigella says
What a great NY resolution! And I must say that looking at these photos of the view and the macro shots is instantly soothing ๐
My recent post My Life in 10 Dishes
Irene says
What is 180 degree celsius in american degrees and what size pan would I use. I'm going to bake this for tea with friends.
delicieux says
Hi Irene ๐ 180 degrees celsius is about 350 degrees farenheit. I hope you enjoy the tea cake ๐
Hannah says
Definately , the perfect side to a cup of tea. This cake looks light and moist, the pairing of lemon and blueberry is great. Nice photo’s!
Amanda says
Your blog is so lovely… and your photography is amazing! Great job!
My recent post Peeking Baby Cookies
florian says
Nice photos ๐
The cake is like a clafouti isn't it ?
delicieux says
Hi Florian. No, the cake isn't like a clafoutis. It's similar to a butter cake. ๐
Sylvie @GITK says
So sorry to hear about your and your grandparent's health issues. When life starts throwing a lot your way I know how easy it is to get overwhelmed and stress. I do think that drinking tea helps a little,it's soothing and calms you, if just for the time you are drinking it. I wish you and your family better health in the new year.
My recent post granola deconstructed
delicieux says
Thank you so much Sylvie ๐ and thanks for stopping by.
Dinners & Dreams says
Blueberries and lemon go well together. They must make this cake taste totally delicious. Pretty pics btw especially the one with the bee.
Nisrine
My recent post Fish Stew with Fennel and Harissa