While we think of teatime as a fine old British tradition, the delightful custom of pausing in the late afternoon for a sociable snack was also common in the United States throughout most of the 1800's.
We're still pretty good at snacking in the afternoon, but the social aspect of sitting down to a cup of tea, and a little nibble (like a tea sandwich, scone, or slice of cake), has all but been lost to time.
This delightful afternoon custom is starting to see a bit of a resurgence though, to the joy of many who long for a slower way of life. Today, I'd like to help nudge along teatime's comeback by offering a selection of old fashioned recipes that are just perfect for afternoon tea. Enjoy!
1. Lemon Shortbread
We all know and love the delicious and butter shortbread cookie, and it's a perfect choice for a good old fashioned afternoon tea. This particular recipe stands out for the addition of lemon, which gives it a wonderfully bright flavor.
The vividly colored lemon zest adds a playful pop of color to this classic favorite.
Get the recipe.
2. Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Another riff on the shortbread theme, these delicately flavored lavender cookies would make a perfect addition to a springtime tea table. Those floral hints are subtle, but so lovely.
Choose a good complementary tea to go with this one, like a nice Earl Grey with bergamot, or a simple chamomile.
Get the recipe here.
3. Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
Just looking at these whimsical little sandwiches makes me want one right now. Isn't that little chive knot the cleverest detail?
These little sandwiches are easy to make, and loaded with a lovely citrus-flavored chicken salad. A good thin-sliced bread is a must for these, and a fun way to add variety would be to make half of them on a nice seeded rye, for a mix of colors and flavors.
Get the recipe here.
4. Blue Cheese and Pear Tea Sandwiches
These cute little blue cheese and pear tea sandwiches have just the right balance of sweet and saltiness. They're just perfect for teatime!
They come together quickly, with no cooking needed, and call for just a few ingredients. You might not notice from the photo, but there are little chopped walnuts in there as well, which off just a nice bit of nutty crunch to each bite.
Get the recipe here.
5. Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
It's always nice to make sure there are plenty of light and refreshing options at the tea table. These little smoked salmon cucumber bites fit the bill perfectly.
Quick and easy to make, they come together in just a few minutes. Do make plenty, because that cream cheese and salmon combo is absolutely addictive. Once you start nibbling on these, you won't want to stop!
Get the recipe here.
6. Cherry Bakewell tart
This delightful spin on a traditional Bakewell tart recipe certainly merits a place at the tea table. It features a sweet shortcrust pastry shell, filled with fresh cherries and frangipane, and topped with slivered almonds.
If you're a fan of Linzer cookies, the flavor combination here will be a familiar and beloved one. It's hard to go wrong pairing a simple black tea with this one, like a good Darjeeling.
Get the recipe here.
7. Graham Gems
For a really old fashioned teatime, delight your guests by recreating an authentic 1800's recipe. Gems were a staple at both the breakfast and tea table, throughout the 1800's, and this graham version was a common favorite.
They're not sweet, but have a wonderful texture, and a slightly nutty flavor. Serve them warm, slathered with good butter, or a delicious jam.
Get the recipe here.
8. Blueberry Earl Grey Jam
Speaking of jam, here's a sophisticated blueberry jam that would go just wonderfully on those graham gems.
Use your favorite brand of earl grey tea, to infuse with sweet blueberries into this really memorable jam. This is one that would make a great gift, so consider making extra, and sending your guests home with their own tiny jars of homemade jam!
Get the recipe here.
9. Lemon Almond Scones with Lemon Glaze
These sweet and tangy scones are the perfect pick-me-up after a long morning. Made with freshly squeezed lemon juice and topped with a lemon glaze, the zesty flavor is balanced by the nuttiness of slivered almonds.
This recipe is so quick and easy, you can have scones on the table in just half an hour!
Get the recipe here.
10. Peach Streusel Muffins
Muffins are always a favorite at the tea table, and these delicious peach ones are a real treat. The fresh, fruity flavor of fresh peach really shines through, and sweet streusel and glaze just push them right over the top.
Don't hesitate to double down on the fruity theme when you're choosing a tea. Blackberry tea is a real winner along with these.
Get the recipe here.
11. Old Fashioned Gingerbread
Here's another 1800's recipe that will surprise and delight your family or friends. This gingerbread recipe is from an 1856 cookbook, and I have never tried another gingerbread recipe that I like as well as this one.
This is the type of recipe that would have been served as "family fare" for teatime in the 1800's, while cake was more typically served for guests. Gingerbread was well loved, and one of the most popular recipes you'll find in the baking sections of cookbooks from this era!
Get the recipe here.
12. Smoked Gouda and Chive Scones
Savory smoked gouda pairs together with spicy chives, for heavenly scones that you'll want to make again and again. They're so hearty and flavorful, they work well with any meal of the day.
This flavor combination makes me want to try splitting them for an open-faced egg breakfast sandwich, with a little extra gouda for good measure!
Get the recipe here.
13. Irish Tea Cake
Here's a traditional tea cake that's lightly sweet, and perfect for serving with tea or coffee. With a moist, tender texture, this is a sure favorite.
Try topping this with a good whipped cream, berries, and a sprinkling of confectioner's sugar.
Get the recipe here.
13. Composition Cake
Another truly vintage recipe, this composition cake is just perfectly sweet and spicy, studded with your choice of raisins or currants. You could even swap in dried cherries if you like.
Topped with a simple sugar glaze, this is perfect for a company teatime. It's also a great treat to make ahead of time, since the flavors really develop as the cake rests, and this is even tastier on the second day!
Get the recipe here.
15. Earl Grey Scones With Vanilla Bean Glaze
These vanilla Earl Grey scones are an absolute treat. The vanilla bean in the glaze on these gorgeous scones is what really sets this particular recipe apart from other Earl Gray scone recipes out there.
Make them for breakfast. Make them for teatime. No matter what the time of day, these are bound to be just the thing!
Get the recipe here.
16. Victoria Sponge Cake
Here's a recipe that offers a truly classic taste of Great Britain. This authentic Victoria Sponge Cake recipe features light and fluffy sponge cakes filled with sweet jam, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream.
This would be a lovely thing to surprise your guests with, when it's your turn to host the book group. Offer plenty of fresh berries along with it, and extra whipped cream so your guests can indulge as much as they like. They'll be "licking their fingers with that absorbed inward look that only comes from whipped cream", to quote Katherine Mansfield.
Get the recipe here.
17. California Lemon Pound Cake
With a perfectly dense yet delicate crumbs, this zesty California lemon pound cake, is like a taste of pure sunshine.
Sure to delight everyone, lovers of all things lemon will especially swoon over this one. The British tea company, Twinings, suggests Earl Grey or English Breakfast as perfect tea pairings for lemon cake. Tea merchants "by appointment to His Majesty the King" are likely to be right about these things, I should think.
Get the recipe here.
17 Scone Recipes Worthy of Sunday Brunch
Is there anything better than a fresh scone made right at home? Whether you're looking for savory scones, like jalapeño cheddar, or a sweet recipe (do try the Earl Gray one, it's amazing!), you'll find a scone recipe here to please any palate.
These easy recipes are perfect for your next brunch, but once you've started baking scones at home, you're bound to find yourself making them "just because"!
Get the recipes here.
21 Easter Treats Too Cute to Eat
From precocious bunnies, to delicate birds' nests, to wooly little lambs--there are so many sweet themes to draw from at Easter time!
If you're looking for an adorable treat to make for your holiday celebration, here's a list of the cutest and most creative recipes for Easter treats that we've ever seen!
Get the recipes here
Decadent Desserts That are Surprisingly Easy
Slaving over a stove when you don't feel like it, is the worst. Just skip it, with these easy no-bake recipes that cut corners in all the best ways, and still deliver a show-stopping dessert.
That peanut butter pie is one you're definitely going to want to try!
Get the recipes here.
Anna Chesley is a freelance writer living a homestead lifestyle, with a special love for family travel, old books, vintage skills, and seaside living. In addition to founding Salt In My Coffee, she runs the website, New England Family Life, as well as The 1800's Housewife, a website devoted to re-creating authentic 1800's recipes.
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