17 afternoon tea ideas fit for royalty

Sweet treats

Dainty cakes, sumptuous scones, elegant éclairs and all things tiny – no afternoon tea would be complete without the stars of the show, the sweet treats!

Basic scones

Scones are synonymous with a British afternoon tea. Piled high with jam and cream, a good scone is one of the most delicious treats of all. Best of all, they couldn’t be easier to make! This simple recipe can be used to make lots of variations too, so play around to find your favourite.

Blossom blush petit fours

These super cute petit fours are an ideal bake for a springtime afternoon tea! Covered with candy melts and topped with delicate little blossoms, these tiny cakes as pretty as they are delicious.

Mini sweetheart biscuits

These super sweetheart biscuits are all you need to complete a Valentine’s Day afternoon tea. A simple sugar biscuit is topped with colourful fondant icing and finished with a love heart.

Caramel pecan brownie bites

Not only are these brownie bites totally tasty, they look the part too! Add them to your cake stand and guests will be drooling over their deliciousness!

Red velvet sandwich cookie

If red velvet is your favourite kind of cake, you’re sure to adore these chewy sandwich cookies. Filled with a light cream cheese frosting, you won’t be able to resist these delicious delights!

Lemon madeleines

Madeleines are a classic teatime treat. These buttery, shell-shaped cakes are made with lemon for a citrusy zing, but you could also use orange or rose essence.

Champagne meringue cookies

Champagne and afternoon tea go hand-in-hand, and these sophisticated champagne meringue bring the two together perfectly. Crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, these meringues are flavoured with champagne for the ultimate high tea decadence. 

Cute kitty macarons

If you’re making afternoon tea for family or a kid’s birthday party, these cute kitty macarons are purrrr-fect! 

White chocolate and raspberry éclairs

Transport yourself to a French pâtisserie with these delightfully light and fluffy white chocolate and raspberry éclairs. Making choux pastry might seem like a challenge, but once you get the hang of the technique, it’s simple. These éclairs are filled with a classic pastry cream – yum!

Coconut orange tartlets

Give your afternoon tea a tropical twist with these coconut orange tartlets. Mini tartlet cases are filled with coconut whipped cream and topped with mandarins to create this brilliant bite-sized dessert.

Mini classic cheesecakes

If you’re struggling with afternoon tea inspiration, think of all your favourite desserts and shrink them! These mini cheesecakes can be easily tweaked for different flavours. Chocolate, lemon or berry – take your pick!

Savoury bites

It’s not all about the cakes and scones! Sandwiches and tiny savoury snacks are an integral part of any afternoon tea. From classic sandwiches to mini quiches, these high tea food ideas are sure to go down a treat with tea party guests. 

Herb butter and cucumber tea sandwiches

An afternoon tea wouldn’t be complete without a classic cucumber sandwich, and this is an alternative take on the high tea favourite. Make use of flower and leaf fondant cutters to cut intricate garnishes for these fancy open sandwiches.

Spinach and ricotta scones

This savoury twist on a tea time classic is sure to be adored by guests! Serve these fresh out of the oven smothered with butter – delicious! 

Spinach and white cheddar egg bites

These little egg cups are so versatile! Each bite is packed full of delicious cheddar cheese and spinach for full-on flavour. As well as being the perfect size for afternoon tea, they’re also great for breakfast, brunch or a tasty snack.

Mini ham and cheese quiches

These bite-sized cheesy mini quiches are guaranteed to impress! As well as being great for grown-up guests, these delicious savoury bites will go down a treat with kids too. You can experiment with the fillings too – add asparagus or red pepper chunks for a veggie alternative.

Pizza puffs

These little pizza puffs wouldn’t look out of place at a football viewing party – but once you’ve popped them out of their tin and onto your cake stand, they’ll be fit for a queen! Transform a simple puff pastry base into a mini pizza with a variety of toppings, from pepperoni and jalapeno to ham and pineapple! All you need is a mini muffin tin!

Mini ham and avocado 'biscuit' sliders

Who says high tea sandwiches have to be made with bread? This nifty little recipe will take you from breakfast to brunch with a pit stop at afternoon tea! Make homemade American buttermilk biscuits using sweet potato, sage and paprika and fill them with ham and avocado. Swap the ham for egg or cheese or a veggie twist!