If you’re looking for a delicious way to top off your afternoon tea, look no further! We’ve gathered some of the best dessert recipes that are perfect for tea time.
In this article, Lavender ca bakehouse lists the best desserts for afternoon tea. From sweet and fluffy scones to decadent chocolate cake, we guarantee you’ll be drooling by the end!
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Afternoon Tea: a time-honored tradition
Dating back to the Victorian era, this beloved social event is the perfect excuse to gather your friends and enjoy some sweets and tea. While there are many different interpretations of afternoon tea, one thing remains the same: it’s always better with dessert!
If you’re planning on hosting your afternoon tea party, or just want to enjoy a delicious treat, these recipes are sure to hit the spot.
Afternoon Tea vs. High Tea: What’s the Difference?
To know the best desserts for afternoon tea, you must understand the difference between afternoon tea and high tea. Afternoon tea is a lighter meal typically served in the late afternoon, while high tea is a more substantial meal usually served in the evening.
While both meals can include savory dishes, like sandwiches or quiche, they’re both traditionally followed by sweet treats. That’s where these recipes come in!
The Best Afternoon Tea Dessert Recipes
Ready to get your bake on? Here are some of the best afternoon tea desserts you have to try.
1. Chocolate Scones – The classic tea dessert
Chocolate has always been a popular flavor for afternoon tea. These scones are rich and indulgent, with a chocolatey flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. Serve them warm with whipped cream or butter dollop for an extra special treat.
Chocolate scones are perfect to pair with:
Black tea, Earl Grey tea, or even a cup of coffee
Note: If you’re looking for a non-chocolate option, try some delicious raspberry scones instead!
2. Lemon Cake – A refreshing and zesty dessert
This cake is perfect for those who enjoy a tart and juicy lemon flavor. It’s light and fluffy, with a zesty glaze that will leave you wanting more. Afternoon tea is the perfect time to enjoy a slice (or two!) of this delicious cake.
The zesty lemon flavor is perfect for cutting through the richness of tea. Plus, it pairs well with most tea flavors.
Lemon cake is best served with:
Black tea, Green tea, Chamomile tea
3. Classic English Scones – A tea time staple
These scones are a classic afternoon tea dessert. They’re fluffy and moist, with a delicate flavor that’s perfect for enjoying with tea. Serve them plain or with your favorite jam or preserves.
Clotted cream is also a traditional accompaniment to English scones. If you can’t find it, regular whipped cream will do!
Classic English scones are best served with:
Black tea, Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, Jasmine tea
4. Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes – A bite-sized treat
Bundt cakes are rich, chocolatey, and utterly delicious. They’re perfect for serving at afternoon tea parties or as a post-dinner dessert. Serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for an extra special treat.
Any type of chocolate goes well with Bundt cakes. We recommend using dark chocolate or milk chocolate for the best flavor.
Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes are best served with:
Black tea, Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, Jasmine tea, Green tea
Note: As a matter of fact, most tea flavors go well with chocolate. So if you’re ever in doubt, choose a chocolate dessert!
5. Strawberry Shortcake – A summertime favorite
This dessert is perfect for summertime afternoon tea parties. It’s light, refreshing, and full of juicy strawberries. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.
And the best part is, it’s so easy to make! All you need is a shortcake (or biscuit) base, fresh strawberries, and some whipped cream.
Strawberry Shortcake is best served with:
Black tea, Green tea, Chamomile tea, Fruit tea
Note: You can use any type of shortcake or biscuit. We recommend using a buttery shortbread or a fluffy biscuit.
6. Apple Crumble – A warm and cozy dessert
Afternoon tea is all about comfort and relaxation. And what could be more comforting than a warm bowl of apple crumble? This dessert is perfect for chilly winter days. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added decadence!
Apple Crumble is best served with:
Black tea, Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, Jasmine tea
Note: If you’re using a store-bought shortcake or biscuit base, be sure to read the ingredient list. Some brands use artificial flavors and preservatives. We recommend using all-natural ingredients for the best flavor.
7. Almond Biscotti – A crispy and nutty treat
Biscotti are perfect for dunking in tea. They’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a delicate almond flavor that pairs well with most tea flavors. Almond Biscotti, in particular, are a popular choice for afternoon tea.
Biscotti are best served with:
Black tea, Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, Jasmine tea, Green tea
Note: If you’re looking for a healthier biscotti recipe, try substituting whole wheat flour for the all-purpose flour. You can also use almond meal in place of the almonds.
Tip: If you can’t find almond extract, you can substitute it with vanilla extract. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious!
8. Madeleine Cookies – A delicate and buttery cookie
These French cookies are light, fluffy, and utterly delicious. They have a delicate flavor that pairs well with most tea flavors. Most importantly, Madeleines are very easy to make, unlike the other desserts on this list! All you need is a madeleine pan and some simple ingredients.
You can also check out Lavender bakery and Cafe for their chocolate, vanilla, and creme brulee madeleines!
Madeleine Cookies are best served with:
Black tea, Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, Jasmine tea
Note: If you can’t find a madeleine pan, you can use a mini muffin tin or even a regular muffin tin. Be sure to grease the pan well, so the cookies don’t stick.
Tip: For extra flavor, try dusting the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
9. Poppyseed Cake – the traditional afternoon tea dessert
Like chocolate, this cake is a classic afternoon tea dessert. It’s light, airy, and has a delicate poppyseed flavor. Serve it with a generous blob of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it even more delicious!
Poppyseed Cake is best served with:
Black tea, Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, Jasmine tea
Note: Be sure to use fresh poppyseeds for this cake. Poppyseeds that have been sitting in your pantry for months will not have the same flavor.
Tip: This cake is also delicious with a lemon glaze. Simply mix some powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and water. Drizzle it over the cake before serving.
10. Shortbread Tea Cookies – A crumbly and buttery treat
If you haven’t yet tried shortbread, you’re in for a treat! These cookies are crumbly, buttery, and utterly scrumptious. They have a delicate flavor that pairs well with most tea flavors. Plus, they’re very easy to make! All you need is some all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, and salt.
Shortbread Tea Cookies are best served with:
Black tea, Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, Jasmine tea
Note: Be sure to use unsalted butter for this recipe. Salted butter will make the cookies too salty.
Tip: If you want your shortbread cookies to be extra crispy, try chilling the dough in the fridge for an hour before baking.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, some of the best afternoon tea desserts you have to try! Whether you’re in the mood for something chocolatey or fruity, there’s sure to be a recipe here that you’ll love. Bon appetit!