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Afternoon tea ideas and recipes you can recreate in the comfort of your own home - all easy to make and budget-friendly too... Bakery Food Packaging Box

We’ve got plenty of inspiring afternoon tea ideas for you to select from including cupcakes, classic scones, and sandwiches too.

According to afternoontea.co.uk (opens in new tab) ; "Afternoon Tea is a tea-related ritual, introduced in Britain in the early 1840s. It evolved as a mini meal to stem the hunger and anticipation of an evening meal at 8pm." Traditional afternoon tea is composed of sandwiches (usually finger sandwiches) scones served with clotted cream and jam and a selection of sweet pastries and cakes to finish. All of which is served with a pot or two of tea. 

Our selection of afternoon tea recipes is ideal for parties, and special occasions, or if you're looking to make your own afternoon tea hampers (opens in new tab) as a gift for family and friends ranging from easy recipes for beginners to intricate bakes for those that have more time. Think lemon drizzle cake, cherry Bakewells, banana bread, and delicate strawberry macarons.

“No afternoon tea is complete without homemade cakes and pastries, sandwiches and not forgetting classic scones,” says Deputy Food Editor, Rose Fooks. “Indulging in afternoon tea is great for special occasions. Make everything the day before you plan on serving it so you can focus on decorating and laying the table with vintage crockery for example.“

Try dainty sandwich recipes for afternoon tea, including smoked salmon and coronation chicken fillings. Sandwiches are a great choice of savoury food to serve for afternoon tea. They’re cheap, quick, and easy to rustle up in bulk. By far one of our simplest afternoon tea ideas.

How to serve for afternoon tea: Cut your sandwiches into elegant, rectangular or triangle-shaped slices, garnished with fresh herbs.

Tarts are easy to make and make a great afternoon tea choice. Opt for classics such as Bakewell tarts, custard tarts, or mini raspberry and frangipane slices.

How to serve for afternoon tea: Don't forget a jug of cream, homemade custard, or fruit as an accompaniment.

Gooey and rich, brownies are an easy crowdpleaser - especially served warm with a generous spoonful of clotted cream. Make the day before so they're super rich in flavour and fudgy in texture too.

10 Inch Cake Board How to serve for afternoon tea: Just before your brownie traybake begins to cool, cut your brownies into squares or bite-sized pieces.