There is something wonderfully British about gathering around a pot of tea with delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones and beautiful little cakes. This afternoon tea menu guide will help you create the perfect menu by offering a collection of delicious recipes for the best afternoon tea party.
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British afternoon tea
The Afternoon tea is so quintessentially British. Dating back to the early 1800s, the afternoon tea has become a ritual. And although in the past it was a luxury that only the wealthy could afford, perhaps nowadays it’s more of a matter of lack of time, rather than money, when it comes to having an afternoon tea.
A traditional afternoon tea is usually served between 3pm-5pm and include 3 classic elements:
- finger sandwiches and savoury bites
- freshly-baked scones with cream and jam
- small cakes and sweet treats
The food is traditionally served on a three-tier stand, starting with sandwiches at the bottom, scones in the middle and cakes at the top.
Classic afternoon tea sandwich fillings
When it comes to sandwiches, the sky is the limit, you can add pretty much any filling you like. Some classic sandwich recipes are still the favourite though.Â
Use any kind of bread you like: white, wholemeal, half half, seeded, you name it. Best if you cut out the edges after you assemble the sandwiches, they will look nicer this way.
Ham and Cheese Sandwich-Â It might consist of sliced cheese and ham only, but it's so delicious, and easy to whip up. And a big hit with kids too, so be sure to add it to your menu.
Cheese and Cucumber Sandwich-Â Popular with all ages, you can also spread a bit of butter or mayo on the bread slices, other than that, sliced cheese and cucumber is all you need
PRAWN COCKTAIL SANDWICH- What a treat this is! You can make your own prawn cocktail, but otherwise the store-bought ones are as good. Spread it on some nice bread, and you will lick your fingers clean.
These are just a few ideas, obviously, you can add anything else you like, it's a matter of time and choice here. No need to go out of your way purchasing lots of ingredients, just use what you have around.
Savoury bites
Afternoon tea scones
Now, moving onto another plate, we have the nation's favourite breakfast, brunch or afternoon tea treats. The British scones are so easy to make, it's actually a shame to even consider buying them, you have them ready from scratch in about 20 minutes.
Afternoon tea cakes
Now, there is so much to choose from here, it's hard to pick just a few. But again, I will go for my absolute favourite, and you can add anything else you like to the list.
I also have this guide: Must-Try Classic British Desserts that can give you even more ideas about the best sweet treats to enjoy on the day.
Best teas to serve with afternoon tea
Traditional tea choices:
- English Breakfast Tea
- Earl Grey Tea
- Assam
- Darjeeling
Herbal tea options:
- peppermint tea
- chamomile tea
- berry tea blends
How much food per person?
If you are hosting an aftenoon or garden tea party, you will roughly need per person:
- 3-4 finger sandwiches
- 2 scones
- 2-3 sweet treats
- unlimited tea
The easiest way to avoid stress is to prepare in advance. The cakes can be baked the day before, while on the say I would bake the scones and prepare the sandwiches.
While the cakes can be fully decorated beforehand, I would prepare the scones just before serving. Fresh cream doesn't last long, so it's best not to have it around for long.
The afternoon tea is more than just tea and cakes, it's an experience centered around gathering together and enjoying good food and company! I hope you'll enjoy this British afternoon tea menu!
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Michelle says
Hi I am trying to find a cheese I see that they used in England for the queen jubilee they actually spread it on the scones I cannot remember the name all I know is that it begins with a C it was really cute thank you
Daniela Apostol says
It's clotted cream, it's like a double/whipped cream but very thick, it's very yummy.