Description
A classic traditional afternoon tea featuring delicate finger sandwiches, warm freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries, and perfectly brewed tea. This elegant spread creates a refined and relaxing experience ideal for gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
- For the tea:
- 2 tablespoons loose leaf black tea or 4 tea bags (English Breakfast or Earl Grey)
- 4 cups freshly boiled water
- Milk, to taste
- Sugar or honey, to taste
- Lemon slices (optional)
- For the finger sandwiches:
- 12 slices soft white or whole wheat bread, crusts removed
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 4 oz smoked salmon
- 1 cup prepared egg salad
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- For the scones:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- For serving with scones:
- Clotted cream
- Strawberry jam
- For sweet treats:
- Assorted mini pastries or cakes
- Shortbread cookies
- Mini fruit tarts
Instructions
- Prepare the finger sandwiches by spreading butter or cream cheese onto bread slices and adding fillings such as cucumber, smoked salmon, or egg salad.
- Trim edges and cut into small rectangles or triangles.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) for the scones.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in milk and egg just until a soft dough forms.
- Shape dough gently and cut into rounds.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Cool slightly.
- Arrange sandwiches, warm scones, clotted cream, jam, and sweet treats on a tiered stand or serving plates.
- Brew tea by steeping loose leaf tea or tea bags in freshly boiled water for 3–5 minutes.
- Serve tea with milk, sugar, honey, or lemon according to preference.
Notes
- Add chicken salad with mustard for additional sandwich variety.
- Use lemon curd instead of jam for a seasonal twist.
- Offer herbal teas alongside black tea for more options.
- Prepare sandwiches fresh for best texture.
- Store scones in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheat briefly before serving.
- Assemble most components ahead of time but brew tea close to serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion of assortment
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
