Tea Cakes

This bite-size dainty is the simplest kind of cake to serve with tea because it requires no utensils, just plenty of napkins lest the powdered sugar falls all over the ladies’ laps.

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Sifted confectioners’ sugar for topping

Preheat the oven to 325°. In a large bowl beat the granulated sugar, butter, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, and confectioners’ sugar. Using a teaspoon, drop portions of the mixture onto a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the sifted confectioners’ sugar while still warm.

YIELD: ABOUT 5 DOZEN