Best 4 High Tea Recipes
High tea is a delightful tradition enjoyed by people around the world. It typically involves an assortment of delectable treats, ranging from savory sandwiches and pastries to irresistible cakes and scones. Whether you're hosting a formal tea party or simply seeking an enjoyable treat, preparing the perfect high tea can be a daunting task. In this article, we will guide you through the essential steps and provide a selection of recipes to help you create a memorable high tea experience for your friends and family.
Let's cook with our recipes!
VICTORIAN WATERCRESS TEA SANDWICHES FOR HIGH TEA AND PICNICS
During Victorian times, children used to take watercress sandwiches to school in place of meat ones. I love them, especially when cut into small trianges and served with a cuppa (cup of tea!). Use the freshest bread - I like to use wholemeal, and a fresh salted farmhouse butter. I have included a soup idea at the end of the recipe, to be made with the excess stalks! So a soup and sandwich recipe then!
Provided by French Tart
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 5m
Yield 8 Rounds of Sandwiches, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Snip the stalks from the watercress and place the leafy ends on kitchen paper to absorb any water. Butter the bread generously, arrange the watercress over 4 slices and season. Top with the remaining bread, cut into triangles or fingers and serve.
- NB. (Don't discard the watercress stalks; they can be made into a soup. Soften a chopped onion in a pan with butter, add 250ml whole milk and bring to the boil. Add the stalks, cook for 1 minute then liquidise until smooth and foamy.).
ENGLISH HIGH TEA PRESERVED GINGER DRIZZLE CAKE
If you like ginger & especially ginger cakes, this is the one for you! This is the most moist and delectable ginger cake I have ever tasted! An old friend of my Mum's gave the recipe to her and she passed it on to me - it is a bit like Chinese Whispers, much changed and adapted since my Mum's friend scibbled it on the back of a napkin over 20 years ago, but still a firm favourite! It is the definitive style of a typical English High Tea Cake........get out your prettiest cake stand and your best Tea Set. At Easter time, I often cyrstalise some violets from the garden and decorate the cake with them, it looks wonderful & very spring like! NB: The size of the tin is VERY important in order to achieve a deep, moist cake.
Provided by French Tart
Categories Dessert
Time 1h10m
Yield 1 Ginger Cake, 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- You will need a non-stick round cake tin measuring 8", at least 1"deep, and some silicone paper (parchment).
- Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 180C/350F/gas4.
- First, prepare the cake tin by greasing lightly and lining it with the silicone paper: press it into the tin, folding the corners in to make it fit neatly - the paper should come up 1 inch above the edge.
- To make the cake, in a large pan, gently melt the butter with the sugar, golden syrup & black treacle over a low to medium heat.
- Cool briefly & stir in the milk.
- Beat the eggs into the mixture & add the chopped stem ginger - mix well.
- Sift in the flour into a bowl and combine thoroughly, then add the ground ginger, baking powder & freshly grated ginger root. Combine thoroughly.
- Pour the cake mixture into the prepared cake tin & spread the cake mixture evenly in the cake tin.
- Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the cake is risen, springy and firm to touch in the centre.
- Take the cake out of the oven & prick all over with a skewer or a toothpick; pour the ginger syrup over the cake, making sure it all sinks down into the holes.
- Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 60 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack and make sure it is absolutely cold before you attempt to ice it.
- For the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and mix with enough of the lemon juice to make a consistency of thick cream - you might not need all the lemon juice.
- Now spread the icing over the top of the cake, and do not worry if it dribbles down the sides in places, as this looks quite attractive.
- Cut the remaining ginger into 12 pieces & arrange around the edge of the cake so that when you cut it you will have 12 slices, each with a piece of ginger in the centre.
- If you would like one or two of these cakes tucked away for a rainy day, they freeze beautifully - simply defrost and put the icing on half an hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 373.3, Fat 15, SaturatedFat 9.1, Cholesterol 72.6, Sodium 500.4, Carbohydrate 56.9, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 33.8, Protein 4.1
HIGH TEA LEMON COOKIES
It's very important to use room temperature butter, not melted or softened. Cookies will become crumbly otherwise. Do not refrigerate this dough, it will become very difficult to work with.
Provided by Amanda Jean
Categories Dessert
Time 15m
Yield 6 dozen cookies, 30-40 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Add lemon zest and vanilla extract, beat well.
- Add flour and cornstarch and mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Using your hands, roll cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes, until bottoms are light brown, remove and cool on wire cooling racks.
- Once cool, spread lemon frosting onto cookies.
- In a medium bowl combine butter, lemon zest, lemon juice and powdered sugar. Stir until well mixed. Additional lemon juice may be needed to get the frosting thin enough, then dip the cookie into the frosting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.8, Fat 14.4, SaturatedFat 9.1, Cholesterol 38, Sodium 102.7, Carbohydrate 31.1, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 18.4, Protein 1
HIGH TEA CAKE
High tea was a hearty farmhouse meal that began with cold meats or pies with salad and bread and butter and progressed through scones, teabread and jelly or trifle to finish up with a rich fruit-filled cake.
Provided by MarieRynr
Categories Dessert
Time 2h20m
Yield 1 cake
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Set oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or Mark 3.
- Place the butter, syrup, fruit, lemon rind and milk in a saucepan and heat until the butter is melted. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring gently. Allow to cool.
- Sieve together the flour, salt and spices into a bowl and make a well in the center.
- Beat the eggs lightly together, pour into the well, but do not stir in just yet.
- Add the soda to the butter mixture; pour into the well over the eggs and mix thoroughly.
- Turn into a 7 or 8 inch cake tin lined with buttered greaseproof paper and smooth over the top.
- Bake for 1 3/4 to 2 hours, covering the top with kitchen foil if it appears to be browning too quickly.
- Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out on to a wire rack.
- Remove the paper when the cake is cold.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 4827.3, Fat 135.9, SaturatedFat 80.2, Cholesterol 744.9, Sodium 1961.8, Carbohydrate 908.4, Fiber 49.2, Sugar 540.3, Protein 68.5
Tips for a Perfect High Tea:
- Choose a Theme: Select a theme for your high tea party to add a cohesive and elegant touch. This could be anything from a vintage garden party to a classic British afternoon tea.
- Set the Mood: Create an inviting ambiance by decorating the space with elegant tablecloths, vintage china, and fresh flowers. Soft lighting and soothing music can also help set the mood.
- Prepare a Variety of Teas: Offer a selection of high-quality teas, including black teas, green teas, herbal teas, and specialty blends. Ensure you have enough teapots and cups for your guests.
- Include Sweet and Savory Treats: Serve a variety of sweet and savory treats to complement the tea. Finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, pastries, and cakes are classic high tea options.
- Maintain Proper Etiquette: Follow proper tea etiquette to enhance the overall experience. Hold the teacup by the handle, take small sips, and avoid slurping. Use a napkin to wipe your mouth and handle the food delicately.
Conclusion:
Hosting a high tea is an excellent way to gather friends and family for a refined and elegant social gathering. By following these tips, you can create a memorable high tea experience that combines delicious food, refreshing teas, and a delightful ambiance. Whether you prefer a traditional British afternoon tea or a themed high tea party, the key is to focus on quality, presentation, and attention to detail. So, invite your loved ones, set the table, and indulge in the charm and elegance of a perfect high tea.
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