Afternoon Tea

Mad Hatter: Would you like a little more tea?
Alice: Well, I haven't had any yet, so I can't very well take more!
March Hare: Ah, you mean you can't very well take less.

                                                            ~Lewis Carrol; Alice in Wonderland

...gorgeous photo courtesy of Kim Bice Photography



Orange Frosted Tea Cakes


3 c. cake flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 ts. salt
1 c. softened, unsalted butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
5 large eggs
2 tbsp grated orange zest
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 c. half-and-half
1/4 c. orange juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Icing:
3 c. icing sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 tbsp. half-and-half

*Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Line the dish with parchment paper, and lightly grease and flour it.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add orange zest and nutmeg. In a small bowl, stir together the half-and-half, orange juice, and vanilla. Slowly stir the half-and-half mixture into the butter mixture, mixing well. Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until well blended.
Bake for 35 min, or until cake is golden and springs back to the touch. Let cool and frost.