Edgar Pitts preserving his mother's southern old-fashioned teacake recipe

Eric Lee Pitts
with his father's homemade
teacakes. Photo credit
Dr. Antoinette Harrell 

One of my cherished childhood memories of my mother is her baking and cooking, especially when she prepared her traditional Southern teacakes. Over time, that memory faded as fewer people around me continued to bake those sweet, delicious treats. A couple of years ago, I met Edgard Pitts at the Womack Sugarcane Syrup farm. During a break, he walked over to a bag of teacakes and offered me one. Of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to revisit those nostalgic flavors. One bite was all it took to transport me back down memory lane. His teacakes were so delicious. I wanted to know how it all started for him. Pitts told me he learned the art of baking teacakes from his mother. 

Each bite offers a rich medley of flavors, with the taste of vanilla and cane syrup standing out among the carefully selected ingredients, all baked with love and affection. I asked him if he would prepare a couple dozen for the Womack family's sugarcane syrup-making event, and he graciously agreed. During the presentation, I surveyed the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but to my surprise, he was not there. Unbeknownst to me, the man who entered carrying a box was his son, Eric Lee Pitts. He handed the box to Mary Womack, who then brought it to me to share with the attendees. Upon announcing that homemade teacakes were available, those familiar with their taste quickly gathered around the table to secure a portion. After the first bite, the room filled with exclamations of delight, such as "These are so delicious; may I have another?" For many of the children in attendance, it was their first introduction to teacakes, both in name and taste.

The old-fashioned homemade teacakes, with their soft, buttery texture and subtle sweetness, added a special touch to the event. One of the attendees, delighted by their flavor, stepped in to tell the library staff how delicious they were. In more ways than one, the event was a huge success, bringing together people from St. Helena Parish and surrounding areas. Once again, the southern cuisine and the old-fashioned way of cooking cane syrup created a warm, communal atmosphere.

Our community thrives when we come together for events like this, which create a sense of connection and shared purpose. The combination of delicious food, meaningful conversations, and a welcoming atmosphere made for a beautiful fall Saturday morning. Not only was it enjoyable, but it also proved to be an educational and heartwarming experience that left a lasting impression. 

Mary Womack bringing in the 
box of homemade teacakes
Photo Credit
Dr. Antoinette Harrell