We’ve got plenty of inspiring afternoon tea ideas for you to select from including cupcakes, classic scones, and sandwiches too.
Our afternoon tea ideas range from easy recipes for beginners to intricate bakes for those that have more time – from a lemon drizzle cake to cherry Bakewells, banana bread, and delicate strawberry macarons. “No afternoon tea is complete without homemade cakes and pastries, sandwiches and not forgetting classic scones,” says Deputy Food Editor, Rose Fooks. “Indulging in afternoon tea is great for special occasions. Make everything the day before you plan on serving it so you can focus on decorating and laying the table with vintage crockery for example.“
Afternoon tea is a British tradition that dates back to the early 1840s. Traditional afternoon tea is composed of sandwiches (usually finger sandwiches) scones served with clotted cream and jam and a selection of sweet pastries and cakes to finish. All of which is served with a pot or two of tea. Our selection of afternoon tea recipes is ideal for parties, special occasions, or if you’re looking to make your own afternoon tea hampers as a gift for family and friends.
Best afternoon tea ideas
Choose from fillers such as cucumber, ham, mustard and more
1. Sandwiches
Try dainty sandwich recipes for afternoon tea, including smoked salmon and coronation chicken fillings. Sandwiches are a great choice of savoury food to serve for afternoon tea. They’re cheap, quick, and easy to rustle up in bulk. By far one of our simplest afternoon tea ideas.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Cut your sandwiches into elegant, rectangular or triangle-shaped slices, garnished with fresh herbs.
Coronation chicken
Smoked salmon and avocado sandwiches
Tuna mayo sandwich
Sandwich filling ideas
Opt for mini bite-sized tarts or a whole tart for slicing and sharing
2. Tarts
Tarts are easy to make and make a great afternoon tea choice. Opt for classics such as Bakewell tarts, custard tarts or mini raspberry and frangipane slices.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Don’t forget a jug of cream, homemade custard or fruit as an accompaniment.
Cherry Bakewells
Custard tarts
Mini raspberry and frangipane tarts
Plum custard slice
Swirl peanut butter or melted white chocolate through your brownies for an extra sweet finish
3. Brownies
Gooey and rich, brownies are an easy crowdpleaser – especially served warm with a generous spoonful of clotted cream. Make the day before so they’re super rich in flavour and fudgy in texture too.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Just before your brownie traybake begins to cool, cut your brownies into squares or bite-sized pieces.
Peanut butter brownies
Classic chocolate brownie recipe
Gluten-free chocolate brownies
White chocolate chip brownies
Try something new for your afternoon tea spread and make whoopie pies
4. Whoopie pies
Whoopie pies are made with a soft, cookie-like dough and have been popular in America for many years now. They are perfect for afternoon tea as they can be eaten in just a couple of bites making them a great finger food option.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Experiment with different fillings and ask your guests to guess the flavours.
Red velvet whoopie pies
Whoopie pies
Raspberry whoopie pies
Lemon drizzle cake is great for serving around 8-12 people
5. Lemon drizzle cake
A lemon drizzle cake makes the perfect option for afternoon tea as it’s light and airy with a zesty flavour. Pair with herbal tea to really enhance the flavour of the lemon.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Cut your lemon drizzle into slices and pop onto a tiered cake stand or large plate so that everyone can serve themselves. There won’t be any left.
Mary Berry’s lemon drizzle cake
Elderflower and lemon drizzle cake
Low-calorie lemon drizzle cake
Mini lemon drizzle cakes
Swap plain scones for fruit instead for a sweeter option
6. Fruit scones
No afternoon tea would be complete without scones. In our exclusive video, executive pastry chef at The Langham Hotel Andrew Gravett, shows you how to make the perfect fruit scones. “Make sure the butter is very cold, straight from the fridge”, says Andrew, who also advises working the mixture thoroughly to ensure a greater build-up of gluten for the traditional scone shape. “If we don’t work the scone enough, the texture and flavour will be nice but we won’t have such a straight-sided scone, it’ll be slightly fat on the bottom.”
How to serve for afternoon tea: Scones will look impressive perched on a tiered cake stand. Or you could go for the more rustic approach and serve them in a basket. Little pots for the cream and jam and some teaspoons will make your table look fancy.
Paul Hollywood’s scones
Fruit scones
Gluten-free scones
The extras:
Homemade raspberry jam
Strawberry jam
Homemade marmalade
Florentines are a great idea for an afternoon tea
7. Florentines
Florentines are made with almonds and often covered in chocolate. Our traditional recipe makes 16 which is ideal if you’re catering for a large number of people. These speedy sweet treats can be ready in just 20 minutes.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Pile florentines high in a basket or tin lined with white baking paper. You go one step further and turn your florentines into little presents and pop them in a gift box for each guest.
Make a batch of veggie and meat sausage rolls to cater for all dietary requirements
8. Sausage rolls
Whether you opt to serve them in one or slice them into minis, sausage rolls are a great savoury option. They make a filling replacement for sandwiches. By far one of our simplest afternoon tea ideas.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Cut into bite-sized pieces and present alongside the sandwiches as another delicious savoury option.
How to make sausage rolls
Vegetarian sausage rolls
Honey and mustard sausage rolls
Twisty sausage rolls
Decorate with whatever you fancy; icing sugar, drizzle, buttercream and more
9. Cupcakes
Cupcakes mean individual cakes for your guests so everyone is guaranteed to have at least one cake and they’ll be no squabbles. Try cupcake recipes with fondant figures or swirls of piped buttercream to keep it simple, yet impressive.
How to serve for afternoon tea: A tiered cupcake holder or cake stand will help you create a tower of cupcake.
Basic cupcakes recipe
Tea party cupcakes
Low-fat cupcakes
Apple crumble cupcakes
Lavender and honey cupcakes
Perfect served with coffee
10. Biscotti
Biscotti, meaning biscuits in Italian, are perfect for dunking into tea once, twice or even three times without breaking into your cup. These brittle biscuits have a rich almond flavour and soften easily when dunked.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Serve biscotti with tea or coffee for dipping.
Apricot and cranberry Biscotti
Classic Biscotti
Cherry and pistachio Biscotti
Choose strawberry jam, raspberry jam or blackberry jam as the filling
11. Victoria Sponge
Victoria sponge cake makes the perfect centrepiece, sandwiched together with fresh cream and jam.
How to serve for afternoon tea: A large glass cake stand sitting in the middle of your table would do this cake justice. Serve with a cake knife, small forks and napkins, for those messy eaters.
Mary Berry’s Victoria sponge
Mini Victoria sponges
Make eclairs the morning of your afternoon tea party so the cream is as fresh as it can be
12. Éclairs
Chocolate éclairs have a soft, light pastry with a rich chocolate topping and creamy filling. Traditionally served at afternoon tea, eclairs are a delicate pastry to enjoy after the sandwiches.
How to serve for afternoon tea: You could play around with the sizes of your éclairs and make little bite-sized ones so they’re easier to eat.
Chocolate éclairs
Double chocolate éclairs
Leftover banana bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days
13. Banana bread
Another delicious afternoon tea idea is a banana cake or bread. Pick a banana cake recipe or a banana bread recipe as a great way to use up ripe bananas. Add chopped walnuts, pecans or even chocolate chips to give your banana loaf even more flavour.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Slice your banana bread or cake into pieces and serve on a tiered cake stand. You could also pop them into cupcake cases to make them look prettier.
Get the recipe: Banana bread
Banana cake
Get the recipe: Banana and walnut cake
Banana sandwich cake
Tray bake, round cake or carrot cake muffins – nothing beats a classic carrot cake
14. Carrot cake
Carrot cake has a thick, cream cheese frosting and a lightly spiced sponge. Make in advance as it keeps well in a cake tin or wrapped in tin foil and add the frosting just before serving. By far one of our simplest afternoon tea ideas.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Cut into slices or squares and place onto a tiered cake stand with a variety of other mini bakes.
Classic carrot cake
Carrot and raisin loaf
Phil Vickery’s carrot cake (pictured)
Carrot and pineapple cake
On average you can make around 8-12 muffins in one batch
15. Muffins
Muffin recipes to bake at home, including raspberry and white chocolate muffins. Or experiment with a savoury muffin option, alongside sandwiches.
How to serve for afternoon tea: How cute would a basket of muffins look in the centre of the table?
Chocolate muffins
Raspberry muffins
Blueberry muffins
Banana and chocolate chip muffins
Whether you opt for classic cinnamon or chocolate, Chelsea buns are a great afternoon tea choice
16. Chelsea buns
Our classic Chelsea buns recipe is so simple to make at home. They’re a bit fiddly but well worth the effort. These currant-filled Chelsea buns make a lovely tea-time treat so perfect for an afternoon tea.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Drizzle with some delicious royal icing and then stack on a round cake tower so they can be admired from all angles.
Chocolate Chelsea buns
Hairy Bikers’ chocolate and cherry buns
You can make shortbread a few days before serving – just store in an airtight container
17. Shortbread
Tea and biscuits go hand in hand, that’s why we think a shortbread recipe should be top of the list. Sprinkle with sugar and watch them disappear off the plate in seconds.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Layer the in a tin lined with white baking paper, so you can keep them fresh throughout the afternoon.
Scottish Shortbread
Lemon curd shortbread
Mini Egg millionaire shortbread
Millionaire’s shortbread
Serve with cake in slices so you can see the different coloured layers
18. Battenburg cake
Battenburg cake is a very impressive bake that is well worth the effort. The marzipan outer layer will keep the cake fresh for a few days so you can make it in advance.
How to serve for afternoon tea: The best way to serve this sweet treat is by slicing it to reveal its pattern. Place individual slices on little plates or beside your cup of tea on saucers ready for your guests.
Classic Battenburg cake
Chocolate orange Battenburg cake
Macaroons are great for adding a burst of colour to your afternoon tea spread
19. Macaroon
Simple macaroons are made with egg whites and ground almonds to make them as light as air. Experiment with colours, flavours and fillings too.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Macaroons are delicate little things so handle them with care so they don’t get crushed.
Strawberry macaroons
Basic macaroons
Chocolate macaroons
Tiramisu macaroons
Whip up a batch of 8-10 cheese scones in no time
20. Cheese scones
Swap classic scones for cheese scones instead to make your afternoon tea spread more savoury less sweet. Our classic cheese scones take an average of 15 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Serve simply with butter or opt for filling such as cream cheese, smoked salmon, sliced cucumber, or shredded chicken.
Cheese and sweet chilli scones
Watercress cheese scones
Classic cheese scones
Fairy cakes usually take around 15 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook on average
21. Fairy cake
Fairy cakes are easy to make and make a retro treat popular with kids and grown-ups. They are smaller versions of cupcakes so are dainty enough to have as part of your afternoon tea spread.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Fairy cakes are so easy to personalise with individual decorations or perhaps an initial for each guest.
Mary Berry iced fairy cakes recipe
Chocolate topped fairy cakes
Lemon fairy cakes (pictured)
Walnut butterfly buns
From chocolate chip to iced biscuits, cookies are a great choice
22. Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are a great option for kids, as you can make them as big or small as you like. They’re a handy afternoon tea idea as you can make them in advance too.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Pile cookies high in a tin or Kilner jar, or go one step further and turn your cookies into little presents by stacking three and tying them with a ribbon to take away.
Chocolate chip cookies
Vanilla cookies (pictured)
Millie’s Cookies
Whip up a batch of flapjacks in no time at all – ideal for making ahead of time
23. Flapjacks
One of our best afternoon tea ideas is flapjacks. Flapjacks are so quick and easy to make. To make basic flapjacks, all you need is oats, golden syrup, butter, and sugar and once you’ve got the gist, you can experiment by adding apple and cinnamon or dried fruits.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Cut your flapjack traybake into little squares to make bite-sized pieces.
Millionaire flapjacks
Mary Berry’s flapjacks recipe
Treacle flapjacks
Apple flapjacks
Make mini pastries to serve alongside your cakes and bakes
24. Danish pastry
Danish pastries make buttery, sweet treats that flake in your mouth and melt on the tongue. Once you’ve got the hang of our basic step-by-step recipe, you can experiment with different flavours and fillings too.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Make your pastries the centre of attention by placing them on a board or large serving plate, but don’t layer them as they are sticky and can get stuck together.
Classic Danish pastries
Raspberry jam stuffed Danishes
This chocolate pick and mix cake is great for kids’ afternoon tea parties
25. Chocolate fudge cake
A luxurious chocolate sponge recipe will make you a popular afternoon tea host. Decorate with a variety of different chocolate treats depending on the theme of your afternoon tea. Keep it simple with a sweet chocolate ganache or opt for the showstopper with chocolate fingers, curls, and more.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Serve the cake whole for maximum impact. Why not experiment with cake decoration and top with Maltesers or chocolate fingers?
Mary Berry’s chocolate cake recipe
Chocolate fudge cake
Gluten-free chocolate cake
Chocolate pick and mix cake (pictured)
Bake 12 of these delicious iced buns in just 20 minutes
26. Iced bun
One of our best afternoon tea ideas; if you’re looking for an afternoon tea idea with a bit of flare, iced buns are a great shout. Bun recipes for everyone, including retro iced buns, hot cross buns and Chelsea buns. Perfect for both adults and kids.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Iced buns look their best topped with different colours and lined up for guests to help themselves.
Iced buns
Brazilian teatime buns
Blueberry hot cross buns
Chelsea buns
Make the day before to save you some time before serving
27. Mousse
Mousse is a quick and simple afternoon tea idea. It can be made in advance and is often a refreshing little pick me up amongst the heavy cakes and pastries in a classic afternoon tea spread.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Opt for small, dainty glasses to give your mousse a real fancy afternoon tea feel. Don’t forget a teaspoon.
Frappucino mousse
Triple layer mousse
Chocolate honeycomb mousse pots
Irish cream pots
This malty Horlicks and prune loaf cake is a great afternoon tea option
28. Tea Loaf Cake
No afternoon tea party is complete without a tea loaf cake spread with a generous layer of butter. Get experimental and use use whatever tea you prefer.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Don’t forget to put butter into a dish and pop it on the table so everyone can help themselves.
Classic tea loaf
Cherry and coconut loaf
Date and apple loaf
Hazelnut loaf
Horlicks and prune loaf cake (pictured)
Lamingtons are great for making 2-3 days before serving
29. Lamingtons
Lamingtons are bite-sized pieces of cake covered in chocolate and coconut. They are so simple to make that the kids can help you make them. Ideal for making in bulk, especially if you’re catering for a large group of people.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Line your Lamingtons on a board to show off their uniformity.
Get the recipe: Lamington
A bundt cake is a great afternoon tea centerpiece for special occasions
30. Bundt cake
One of our favourite afternoon tea ideas; a simple bundt cake with really delightful and delicate icing is the perfect treat to go with your afternoon tea. Experiment with flavour combinations and use edible flowers to decorate it if you can.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Bundt cakes make a wonderful centrepiece so place on a cake stand and let people serve themselves.
Prosecco, white chocolate and rose bundt cake
Treacle bundt cake with limoncello drizzle (pictured)
Melting middle Cream Egg bundt cake
Turkish delight takes around 20 minutes to cook – and you can make in bulk too
31. Rose and lemon Turkish delight
These lovely Turkish delight squares are exactly that – a comforting sweet treat, delicious bite-sized treats so perfect for an afternoon tea.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Serve in a dish or better yet a tall glass jar so your guests can see all the beautiful colours on display.
Turkish delight rocky road
Rose Turkish delight
The perfect finger food that kids can enjoy too
32. Falafel
If you’re looking for a savoury vegetarian option for afternoon tea falafel is a great choice. It takes just 5 minutes to prep and can be made the day before too.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Present your falafel on a bed of fresh salad leaves with a pot of hummus for dipping. You could also add toasted pitta bread fingers too.
Homemade falafel
Oven baked falafel bites
Scotch eggs take around 20 minutes to prepare
33. Scotch eggs
One of our favourite afternoon tea ideas; Scotch eggs are a quick and easy savoury picnic snack that can be adapted to suit an afternoon tea spread. With our vegetarian version too – you can cater both meat and non-meat eaters in one.
How to serve for afternoon tea: Place in a fancy bowl or scatter amongst the sandwiches.
Scotch eggs
Vegetarian Scotch eggs
Stuffing and mash Scotch eggs
Things you will need to decorate your table for afternoon tea:
Choose the perfect crockery to suit your afternoon tea theme
Recreating afternoon tea at home is simple and can often work out cheaper than going to a restaurant or cafe for afternoon tea in the UK. Here are some top afternoon tea ideas tips:
A tea set: Go for a matching set or a mixture of decorative plates to set the scene. Don’t have a set? Fake it by setting the table in all white pieces. Use matching napkins, or choose decorative paper plates to keep things simple.
Bunting: It’s not just about your table settings, some floral bunting with brighten the room
Teapot: No afternoon tea is complete without a classic teapot. It makes for easy refills.
Drinks: Including tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or even fizz, if it’s a special occasion.
Cutlery: You’ll need everything from a cake knife to teaspoons for spooning on the clotted cream.
Napkins and doilies: Napkins for mess and doilies for decoration.
Cake stand: Cake stands are a great way of showing off your bakes and making them look extra fancy. A large serving plate or even a chopping board would work just as well if you don’t have cake stands.
Flowers: Make your spread look fresh and vibrant by adding pretty flowers to the mix.
Menu: You could push the boat out and make your own afternoon tea menu to give an extra sense of occasion.