Classic British Afternoon Tea

Ingredients

• Finger Sandwiches: Finger Sandwiches:
• 8 slices of white or whole wheat bread 8 slices of white or whole wheat bread
• 100g (3.5 oz) cream cheese 100g (3.5 oz) cream cheese
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 100g (3.5 oz) smoked salmon 100g (3.5 oz) smoked salmon
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, mashed 4 hard-boiled eggs, mashed
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Scones: Scones:
• 250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour 250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar 50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp salt
• 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 120ml (1/2 cup) milk 120ml (1/2 cup) milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Clotted cream and strawberry jam, for serving Clotted cream and strawberry jam, for serving
• Sweet Treats: Sweet Treats:
• Assorted pastries, cakes, and biscuits of your choice Assorted pastries, cakes, and biscuits of your choice
• Tea: Tea:
• Assorted tea leaves or tea bags of your choice Assorted tea leaves or tea bags of your choice
• Boiling water Boiling water

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): N/A (varies depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes)
• Fat (total, saturated): N/A (varies depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes)
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): N/A (varies depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes)
• Protein: N/A (varies depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes)
• Fiber: N/A (varies depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes)
• Salt: N/A (varies depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes)

Preparation

1. 1.
   - Finger Sandwiches:
2. 2.
   1. Spread cream cheese on 4 slices of bread.
3. 3.
   2. Top with cucumber slices and season with salt and pepper.
4. 4.
   3. Spread cream cheese on the remaining 4 slices of bread.
5. 5.
   4. Top with smoked salmon.
6. 6.
   5. Spread mashed eggs on 4 slices of bread.
7. 7.
   6. Season with salt and pepper.
8. 8.
   7. Assemble the sandwiches by placing the slices together, cream cheese side in.
9. 9.
   8. Cut off the crusts and slice into finger-sized sandwiches.
10. 10.
11. 11.
    - Scones:
12. 12.
    1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
13. 13.
    2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
14. 14.
    3. Add the cold butter to the flour mixture and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
15. 15.
    4. In a separate bowl, mix together the milk and vanilla extract.
16. 16.
    5. Gradually pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, stirring until the dough comes together.
17. 17.
    6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently a few times.
18. 18.
    7. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 2cm (3/4 inch).
19. 19.
    8. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out scones and place them on a baking sheet.
20. 20.
    9. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
21. 21.
    10. Serve warm with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
22. 22.
23. 23.
    - Sweet Treats:
24. 24.
    1. Prepare a selection of pastries, cakes, and biscuits of your choice or purchase them from a bakery.
25. 25.
26. 26.
    - Tea:
27. 27.
    1. Boil water and pour it over the tea leaves or tea bags in a teapot.
28. 28.
    2. Allow the tea to steep for the recommended time according to the tea variety.
29. 29.
    3. Serve the tea in teacups alongside the food.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cream Cheese — Make sure the cream cheese is softened before spreading it on the sandwiches for easier spreading and better flavor.
• Cucumber — Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice the cucumber thinly and evenly.
• Smoked Salmon — Look for high-quality smoked salmon for the best flavor and texture.
• Eggs — Mash the hard-boiled eggs with a fork until they are well combined and creamy.
• Scones — Handle the scone dough gently to avoid overworking it, which can result in tough scones.

Tips & Tricks

• To keep the sandwiches fresh, cover them with a damp cloth or plastic wrap until serving.
• Warm the scones in the oven for a few minutes before serving to enhance their flavor and texture.
• Experiment with different flavors of tea to find your favorite pairing with the Afternoon Tea.
• Add a touch of lemon zest or dried fruit to the scone dough for extra flavor.
• Get creative with the sweet treats by incorporating seasonal fruits or unique flavor combinations.

Serving advice

Serve the Afternoon Tea on a tiered cake stand for an elegant presentation. Start with the finger sandwiches on the bottom tier, followed by the scones on the middle tier, and the sweet treats on the top tier. Accompany the tea with milk, sugar, and lemon slices for guests to customize their tea to their liking.

Presentation advice

Arrange the finger sandwiches neatly on a platter, alternating between the different fillings for visual appeal. Place the warm scones in a basket lined with a clean tea towel to keep them warm and inviting. Display the sweet treats on a decorative cake stand or individual dessert plates for an enticing presentation. Serve the tea in delicate teacups with saucers for an authentic British touch.