A
teacake in England is a light yeast-based
sweet bun containing dried fruit, typically served toasted and buttered. In the U.S.
teacakes can be cookies or small cakes. In Sweden they are soft round flat wheat breads made with milk and a little sugar, and used to make sandwiches, with butter, and for example ham and/or cheese. In India and Australia a teacake is more like a
sponge cake.
Tea refers to the popular beverage which these baked goods are an accompaniment to.