Classic British Afternoon Tea Delights

Ingredients

• Finger Sandwiches: Finger Sandwiches:
• 8 slices of white bread 8 slices of white bread
• 4 slices of cucumber 4 slices of cucumber
• 4 slices of smoked salmon 4 slices of smoked salmon
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, mashed 2 hard-boiled eggs, mashed
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Scones: Scones:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup (120ml) milk 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Clotted cream and jam, for serving Clotted cream and jam, for serving
• Pastries and Cakes: Pastries and Cakes:
• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Assorted flavorings and toppings (e.g., lemon zest, chocolate chips, dried fruits, icing sugar) Assorted flavorings and toppings (e.g., lemon zest, chocolate chips, dried fruits, icing sugar)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): Varies depending on portion sizes and ingredients used
• Fat (total, saturated): Varies depending on portion sizes and ingredients used
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): Varies depending on portion sizes and ingredients used
• Protein: Varies depending on portion sizes and ingredients used
• Fiber: Varies depending on portion sizes and ingredients used
• Salt: Varies depending on portion sizes and ingredients used

Preparation

1. 1.
   - Finger Sandwiches:
2. 2.
   1. Trim the crusts off the bread slices.
3. 3.
   2. For the cucumber sandwiches, spread a thin layer of butter on each slice of bread. Place cucumber slices on half of the bread slices and season with salt and pepper. Top with the remaining bread slices.
4. 4.
   3. For the smoked salmon sandwiches, spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each slice of bread. Place smoked salmon on half of the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread slices.
5. 5.
   4. For the egg salad sandwiches, mix mashed hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Spread the egg salad on each slice of bread. Top with the remaining bread slices.
6. 6.
   5. Cut the sandwiches into desired shapes, such as triangles or rectangles.
7. 7.
   - Scones:
8. 8.
   1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
9. 9.
   2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
10. 10.
    3. Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
11. 11.
    4. In a separate bowl, mix together the milk and vanilla extract. Gradually pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, stirring until the dough comes together.
12. 12.
    5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until smooth. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 2.5 cm (1 inch).
13. 13.
    6. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out scones from the dough. Place the scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
14. 14.
    7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the scones are golden brown.
15. 15.
    - Pastries and Cakes:
16. 16.
    1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
17. 17.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
18. 18.
    3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
19. 19.
    4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
20. 20.
    5. Divide the batter into smaller portions and add desired flavorings and toppings to each portion.
21. 21.
    6. Spoon the batter into greased or lined baking pans, depending on the desired shape of the pastries and cakes.
22. 22.
    7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
23. 23.
    8. Allow the pastries and cakes to cool before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Butter — Make sure the butter is softened for the pastries and cakes to achieve a light and fluffy texture.
• Clotted cream — If clotted cream is not available, you can substitute it with whipped cream or mascarpone cheese.
• Jam — Choose your favorite flavor of jam to accompany the scones. Traditional options include strawberry, raspberry, or blackcurrant.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of lemon zest to the scone dough.
• Serve the finger sandwiches on a tiered cake stand for an elegant presentation.
• Experiment with different flavorings and toppings for the pastries and cakes, such as chocolate chips, dried fruits, or a dusting of icing sugar.
• To keep the scones warm, wrap them in a clean tea towel after baking.
• Prepare the sandwiches, scones, and pastries in advance and assemble them just before serving to save time.

Serving advice

Serve the Classic British Afternoon Tea Delights on a tiered cake stand or a decorative platter. Arrange the finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Accompany the treats with a pot of freshly brewed tea and offer clotted cream and jam on the side.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the pastries and cakes with edible flowers or a dusting of powdered sugar. Use fine china tea cups and saucers for an authentic British touch. Decorate the serving table with a floral centerpiece and lace doilies for a classic afternoon tea ambiance.