A teacake in the UK is generally a light yeast-based sweet bun containing dried fruit, typically served toasted and buttered.

In Sweden, they are soft, round, flat wheat breads made with milk and a little sugar, and used to make buttered ham or cheese sandwiches.

In East Lancashire, the former West Riding of Yorkshire, and Cumbria a teacake is a round bread roll which is cut in half to make sandwiches.

In the Southeastern United States, a teacake is a traditional dense large cookie, made with sugar, butter, eggs, flour, milk, and flavoring.

Australian teacakes are sprinkled with cinnamon and fine (caster) sugar, and are usually served warm from the oven with additional butter.