Traditional English Fruit Teacakes
Traditional English Fruit Teacakes are slightly sweet buns with dried currants that are similar to hot cross buns, but without the cross. Serving suggestion? Toasted and warm with butter and a cup of tea, of course! Sort of like cinnamon toast but in bun form.

If you’re looking for the tea cakes from the American south, this is not them. These teacakes (all 1 word) are a British treat usually served for breakfast or a mid-morning treat.
A baked sweet bun that is made with warm spices and dried currants. Very much like a hot cross bun that is best served with lashings of creamy butter.
You will find these teacakes served all around England and in parts of Yorkshire, they use them for sandwiches and sometimes without dried fruit.

Just like the hot cross bun, these English teacakes are best served warm with as much butter as you can stand (I know you’ve already read this but it’s all about melted butter here!). They are made with a delicious combination of warming spices like cinnamon, allspice and ginger with chewy currants.
Now, not to confuse things, there are also ‘cookies (biscuits) called teacakes from Scotland with the brand name Tunnock’s that have a cookie base, marshmallow topping covered in chocolate. Very different.

When it comes to the dried fruit, currants are traditional. Dried cranberries, sultanas or pretty much any dried fruit you like would also be delicious.
In-keeping with the fruity theme, I have a Fruity Tea Cake (below) that is a cake-style loaf with mixed dried fruit that is also served with afternoon tea.

Traditional English Fruit Teacakes

A baked sweet bun that is made with warm spices and currants.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (236 ml) warmed to 100 – 110 °F (38 - 43°C)
- 2 teaspoons instant dried yeast
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 3 ½ cups (455 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon all spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup (128 grams) dried currants
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk (for brushing the tops of the buns)
Instructions
- Line one large or two medium non-stick baking sheets or use a regular sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the milk to a bowl and stir in the yeast and sugar. Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes (maybe more) until you start to see it bubble a little.
- To a mixing bowl add the flour, salt, spices and currants. Mix well. Make a well in the center, add the milk and yeast, butter and beaten eggs. Use a spoon and stir to incorporate the liquids into the flour. When the dough comes together, use your hands to make the dough to a large ball. It will be sticky. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel and leave in a warm place for about 45 mins to rise.
- Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly for a few minutes until smooth. Divide the dough into 12 balls and shape each into a bun that is a flat round.
- Place evenly spaced onto the baking sheet and cover loosely with a towel. Leave in a warm place for 30 minutes until they double in size.
- Preheat oven to 400°F /200°C.
- Brush the tops of the buns with the milk. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown (time may vary depending on your oven).
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 250Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 46mgSodium 192mgCarbohydrates 42gFiber 2gSugar 13gProtein 6g
This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.
10 Comments on “Traditional English Fruit Teacakes”
I have a teacake for my breakfast every day , so i am going to make these, i’m fed up with price increase on tea cakes and they have shrunk in size as well, i want to know if you can freeze them because i want to make a BIG batch
You can freeze them baked or unbaked. Just wrap them individually and seal well. You can defrost at room temperature then bake or enjoy!
Served with afternoon tea, a big hit
Thank you
Brought these to a bake sale and went so fast! I had to make more for myself and they are so good warm with butter. Thank you!
This is so good to hear, thank you ๐๐ป
I made these yesterday and they made my whole house smell amazing. We enjoyed them toasted this morning with butter, oh my, very delicious. I’m going to make your hot cross buns for Easter.
This is how I like to eat them also. Enjoy the hot cross buns ๐
Iโm very excited to try this recipe this weekend!ย
I’m excited for you too, enjoy ๐