I had a day of running errands and dropping off items that had been left at our house across months of gatherings. While delivering ice chests and dishes to front porches, I also left a bag of freshly baked Southern Tea Cakes.

SOUTHERN TEA CAKES

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Heat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, beat shortening at medium speed with a mixer until fluffy, gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg, beating until blended. Add buttermilk and vanilla beating until blended.

In a small bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda. Gradually add flour mixture, 1 cup at a time, to shortening mixture, beating at low speed until smooth after each addition.