Afternoon Tea is a quintessential English custom loved by people from all over the world.
If you’re travelling to the UK, I highly recommend you book yourself in for an afternoon tea. Alternatively, if you’re like me, make a homemade afternoon to enjoy with your friends and family in the comfort of you own home or garden.
Although the custom of drinking tea dates back to thousands of years ago in China, it was popularised in England by King Charles II in the 1660s. However, the afternoon tea that we know today was introduced in the mid 19th century by the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell (3 September 1783 – 3 July 1857).
The story goes that Anna would become hungry around 4pm, but dinner was normally at 8pm. That’s a fairly long period of time between lunch and dinner. To keep her hunger at bay, Anna frequently asked for a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake which she soon began inviting friends to join her.
This quickly became a trend during the 1880’s amongst the upper classes and now it is widely available for all to enjoy!
Modern afternoon tea usually consists of dainty sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and jam, cakes and pastries and tea – maybe even Champagne if you want to go posh.
When it comes to afternoon tea, it’s all the about the sweet treats for me. I look forward to the scones, especially when they are served warm, and the cakes and pastries that follow after.
If you’d like to have a go at making your own afternoon tea I have got some of my favourite recipes for you to try from my lemonade scones to a dainty Mauritian sandwich cookie called Napolitaine.
Lemonade Scones – Here’s a perfect teatime treat that’s fluffy on the inside and golden on the outside. Click here for the full recipe.
Traditional Scones – This traditional British teatime treat is a fond favourite and will be loved by your guests. Click here for the full recipe.
Confetti Cupcakes – Add a pop of colour with these fun vanilla party cakes! Click here for the full recipe.
Coconut Cupcakes – For a slightly exotic touch, my coconut cupcakes are delicate and creamy which is perfect for a sweet afternoon treat. Click here for the full recipe.
Mauritian Napolitaine – This is one of he first things I learned to bake when I was little. Traditional Napolitaine is a sort of melt-in-the-mouth shortbread sandwich cookie with a strawberry jam filling then covered fully in pink icing. Click here for the full recipe.
For more afternoon tea inspiration, explore my Desserts & Sweet Treats recipes and my Cakes, Cupcakes & Muffins recipes.
