- The Teacakes Tale



The aroma of tea cakes, a scent as warm and comforting as a mother's embrace, whispers tales of the South. These weren't just any cakes; they were a lifeline, baked in the sweltering kitchens of the enslaved. Hands that toiled in the fields also kneaded dough, sweetened with precious sugar and a touch of hope. They baked for the Big House, yes, but more importantly, they baked for their own—for children with eyes wide with wonder, for weary husbands returning from the day's back-breaking labor, for a taste of sweetness in a world of bitter realities. When freedom finally came, and the winds of change scattered them across the land, they carried these cherished recipes like precious seeds, planting them in new kitchens and nurturing them with love. Like precious heirlooms, each cake a reminder of resilience, and a taste of home. Generations of Black households have since known the warmth of a tea cake fresh from the oven, a taste of heritage, a whisper of the past, though sadly, this tradition has begun to fade in recent times.

Imagine, if you will, a small act of rebellion, a quiet defiance baked into a sweet treat. In 1774, as the winds of revolution began to stir, a group of women, their hearts ablaze with the spirit of liberty, served tea cakes as a silent protest against the Crown's heavy hand. Over time, they've carried names as potent as the moments they graced: Jackson Jumbles, a nod to a fiery president, and Democratic Tea Cakes, a testament to their presence at the heart of political gatherings.

 From the solemn rituals of baptisms and funerals, marking life's passages, to the bold pronouncements of protests, where voices rose in unison, tea cakes have witnessed the ebb and flow of history. Enslaved African Americans tasked with recreating the "tea cakes" of their European masters, they infused these humble treats with their own culinary wisdom, transforming them into something uniquely their own.

Now, I too create a history with this decadent treat. Sparking new curiosity and sharing a part of history that was instilled in me throughout my childhood. In hopes of sharing and never letting the world forget such a beautiful call to action. It’s Batter With Love continues to share the taste of life, hope, comfort and love with a whole new spin on teacakes. And yet, through all the changes, through all the years, one thing remains constant: the echo of their origin. Though the recipes may travel, though the hands that bake them may change, the heart of the tea cake beats with the rhythm of its beginnings. It whispers of resilience born in the heat of Southern kitchens, of ingenuity sparked by necessity, and of a heritage carried with pride. For within each soft, crumbly bite, there's a taste of history, a reminder of the strength and artistry of those who first gave the tea cake its unique character. So, as we savor these sweet morsels, let us never forget the story they tell, the story of their creation, the story that lives on in every tender crumb.

Thank You Ancestors,

-Tarri