Lemon and Violet Tea Cakes

Edited to add: You will see I wrote this in March 2020, but I chose to leave it, because I still think it's a good perspective for anytime you find yourself in a situation that is not ideal or beyond your control.

We've been reading Paul's letters from prison for our family Bible study. It wasn't planned this way, it was just where we happened to be when all things broke loose in our world. He talks a lot about contentment. I don't think it's a coincidence that we came to these passages at this particular time either. No matter what you think about the situation we find ourselves in, it has affected us all in some way. I'm learning, it's all about perspective.

Although I don't necessarily agree with stay at home mandates, I am choosing to look at it as extra time I get to spend with my kids.

I like that perspective. I've been using this time to try and focus on the positive and enjoy the little things. If you've been following along, then you know we are already a homeschool family, but even after several years you can get into a rut. I have always considered myself a relaxed homeschooler, but for some reason, this "stay at home" time has made me even more relaxed. We have taken on learning in new ways and I haven't felt rushed to get things done. Because of that, we have been doing even more baking and cooking in our school day. I have been wanting to make these cookies for a while, but just didn't want to take the time to do it. Well, since we have slowed down, we finally took the afternoon and made them. They were so good and, the girls especially loved helping. We had them during our tea time and it was the perfect combination of light and sweet.

I'm sure most everyone has some version of tea cakes that their grandma used to make. This is the same simple recipe with just a little variation. I always love cooking from scratch, but especially now when its easier than going to the store. These are not something I would make every week, but they were a fun change and a nice way to celebrate the pretty weather and our time at home.

These are wild violets, not "African violets" or any other domesticated version. Please make sure you are informed before eating any foraged plants.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sugar

• 1 stick of butter

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon of baking powder

• 1 Tablespoon of baking soda

• 1 Tablespoon of milk

• 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice

• 1/4 cup of violets

• 2 cups of all purpose flour (or enough to make a stiff dough)
  

I like to roll the dough out and use cutters to make cookies, but you can just use a spoon to make "drop cookies".

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients, except flowers.

• Fold in the flowers and form. a ball. Do not over mix.

• Roll out dough and cut.

• Bake at 350º for 10 minutes.

• Sprinkle with powdered sugar and garnish with flowers.

*There is a hint of lemon so if you want a stronger lemon flavor, substitute 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice.

Want to see what I used? My favorite kitchen supplies HERE!