Afternoon Tea wouldn’t be complete without a selection of sandwiches. Here are three easy to make varieties perfect with a cuppa. In collaboration with Portmeirion Group & Spode Blue Italian.
Afternoon Tea Week
Afternoon Tea Week is the annual celebration of one of the nation’s favourite traditions.
Whether enjoyed in a 5-star hotel or as a home-baked treat, the British love the combination of savoury and sweet treats served at an afternoon tea, accompanied, of course, by some of the 165 million cups of tea drunk each day in the UK.
I’m delighted to share with you that this year, for the first time ever (I must be officially a grown-up now?), I have served my afternoon tea in a gorgeous matching handcrafted tea set.
I am now the proud new owner of a Spode Blue Italian teapot with matching teacups and saucers as well as side plates, a two-tier cake stand, a cream jug and wine glasses: everything needed, in my humble opinion, to show off the perfect Afternoon Tea.
Spode Blue Italian for Afternoon Tea
The beautiful blue and white Spode Blue Italian collection was launched in 1816 and has been in production ever since.
Now considered an iconic English design, this stunning collection features a finely detailed 18th century Imari Oriental border encompassing a scene inspired by the Italian countryside.
Watch the video below to see how the pottery is made in their factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Did you know that 22 pairs of hands make each piece of Spode Blue Italian? Each item is truly a handcrafted work of art, don’t you think?
For Afternoon Tea Week I thought I’d share three simple sandwich recipes; three of our family favourites: egg and cress, smoked Shetland salmon with cream cheese and a cheese and pickle sandwich. The perfect variety (I think) to go with the traditional scones with jam and cream and a selection of other sweet treats, displayed, perfectly, in my new Spode Blue Italian set.
When it comes to scones, are you a ‘cream on top of the jam’ person or a ‘jam always has to go on top of the cream’ person? AfternoonTea.co.uk recently conducted a large survey to find out.
They found that 58% of people prefer to put the jam before the cream on their scones, with 42% preferring cream first.
The rivalry between Cornwall and Devon over cream teas has been going on for decades. The Cornish way is to serve jam on the bottom, with the Devonians placing the cream on first. You’ll see, to settle any potential disagreements at our Afternoon Tea Party, I did it both ways to please everyone.
Oh, and don’t forget the Prosecco!
What do you like to have served with your Afternoon Tea? Are you a jam on top or cream on top person? Let me know in the comments!
A Trio of Sandwiches for Afternoon Tea
Ingredients
for the egg and cress sandwiches
- 2 large free-range eggs hardboiled and cooled
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 0.5 tsp pickle juice
- 1 pinch celery seed
- Shetland sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 slices brown bread
- butter to spread
for the smoked Shetland salmon with cream cheese and chives sandwiches
- 100 grams cream cheese
- 1 tsp fresh chives snipped
- 0.25 tsp lemon zest
- 100 grams smoked Shetland salmon
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 slices brown bread
for the cheese and pickle sandwiches
- 100 grams mature cheddar cheese
- 15 grams small chunk Branston pickle
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 slices brown bread
- butter to spread
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Equipment
Instructions
- To prepare the egg and cress sandwiches, mash the cooled boiled eggs with a fork until they reach an even consistency. Stir in the mayonnaise, pickle juice and celery seed. Season to taste. Gently fold in the cress.
- Butter your bread slices and divide the egg mixture between the two sandwiches. Cut off the crusts and slice the sandwiches into two triangles or three fingers.
- To prepare the smoked salmon sandwiches, spread 1/4 of the cream cheese on each of the four slices of bread. Sprinkle the cream cheese on one side of the sandwich with the snipped chives and lemon zest.
- Arrange half the smoked Shetland salmon on each sandwich and assemble. Cut off the crusts and slice into triangles or fingers.
- For the cheese and pickle sandwiches, finely grate the cheddar cheese and stir in the pickle to bind. Butter each slice of bread, divide the cheese mixture between them and assemble. Cut off the crusts and slice into triangles or fingers.
Environmental Information
OTHER AFTERNOON TEA RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Choux Buns with Coffee Custard Filling
Courgette Almond Polenta Cake (GF)
Blackberry and Apple Cake
Emmer Scones
Afternoon Tea Cake
Tunnock’s Teacake Rocky Road
Mini Lemon Drizzle Pound Cakes
Cape Breton Fruit Scones
Spiced Apple Cake
A Selection of Cupcakes for Afternoon Tea
Lime Cupcakes with Lime Buttercream Frosting
Ooey Gooey Gluten Free Brownies
Strawberry Shortcakes with Balsamic & Black Pepper Syrup
You might also like this Cold Brew Iced Tea from Oh How Civilised.
SHOP THIS POST
Spode Blue Italian 2-tier Cake Stand
Spode Blue Italian Teapot
Spode Blue Italian Teacups & Saucers
Spode Blue Italian 6-inch Plates
Spode Blue Italian Wine Glasses
Spode Blue Italian Cream Jug
Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was gifted all of the above Spode Blue Italian products. All thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories.
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For me it has to be smoked salmon and cream cheese on rye bread, and beef with horseradish on brown, followed by scones and chocolate cakes
Salmon and cucumber sandwiches aswell as fruit scones with jam and clotted cream are a must 🙂 x
I like egg and cress sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and mini cakes
I have a very sweet tooth so I love to have scones with cream and jam , a piece of chocolate cake and a piece of Victoria sponge cake!
i’m not a huge fan of sandwiches but i love cakes. I like the diddy little scones with cream and jam 🙂
Egg sandwiches followed by a scone with jam and a selection of mini cakes like victoria sponge and chocolate fudge. Mmmm yummy!
Sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream with a pot of English tea
I like to have Cucumber sandwiches, ( no crust ) mini white chocolate eclairs,scones with jam and cream, mini victoria sponge cake and a pot of coffee asi can’t drink tea x
My ideal afternoon tea compiles of a good quality english breakfast tea with freshly baked scones,butter, jam and clotted cream. a perfect treat!
As long as the sizes are all small – finger bite size, I’ll eat anything.
There’s got to be scones with jam and clotted cream with afternoon tea
A nice mug of hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows on top!
I’m a savoury fan so I prefer the afternoon teas to be mostly sandwiches, mini savoury pastries etc. Gotta have the top tier of scones though!
For me the perfect afternoon tea would be finger sandwiches filled with grated cheese + caremelised onion chutney on granary bread, scones with clotted cream and jam, a selection of delicious cakes, including miniature Victoria Sponges, miniature Devil’s Food Cake, a selection of various cupcakes and some slices of Fruit Cake.
A good mixture of sandwiches followed by scones with jam and cream, then a small selection of minature cakes like battenburg and Victoria sponge to nibble at while finishing off a large pot of tea.
OOOH yum, with afternoon tea I like salmon, and also egg sandwiches. Then either a scone or a cream cake. Making me hungry now.
Scones with the cream on last. And cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. And pink lemonade! mmmmmm
An egg and cress sandwich followed by a mini chocolate cake and a cup of tea. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.
I always have ham sandwiches cut into triangles and scones with jam and cakes
Mum egg and cress sandwich, mini scones ,victoria sandwich and a lovely pot of tea
Assorted dainty sandwiches, salmon and cucumber, egg and cress, beef and horseradish. To follow; scones, I love scones or maybe a fat rascal!
Some lightly filled sandwiches and little cakes
I love lots of different little cakes and some nice sandwiches and of course a Great brew! x
I would be very traditional and go for cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and cream.
I love a nice selection of finger sandwiches and a juicy fruit scone
Love smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches and with scones and jam.
you can’t have an afternoon tea without some scones! Although other cakes can be tempting too!
Ham and cream cheese sandwiches, mini sausage rolls, scones with jam and cream and mini sponge cakes with strawberries and washed down with English breakfast tea
This is very traditional, but I have to have sandwiches and a plain scone with plenty of jam and clotted cream – yummy x
My perfect afternoon tea, would be salmon & goats cheese sandwiches and freshly made scones, butter, jam and clotted cream, finished off with earl grey tea
Houmous salad sandwiches on brown, flapjacks and camomile tea
I like sandwiches with mine yum great giveaway
Salmon sandwiches, always adds the posh factor!
cheese egg and spinach sandwiches, cheesey rolls, victoria sponge, tea ofcourse and cocktail sausages
Plenty of sweet treats!
Afternoon tea has to include ham and cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream!
Earl grey tea and carrot cake with lots of frosting. Yummy
Buttery scones with lashings of clotted cram and strawberry jam.
I like scones with jam and lots and cream. I also like the finger sandwiches. yummy !
Def cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches but also a lot of sweet treats as I have a really sweet tooth
tuna mayo sandwiches, mini sausage rolls and a nice cream cake would be great
The obligatory cucumber sandwich and good scones
With my afternoon tea of course i need a pot of tea, ham sandwiches and some yummy cakes too
Definitely cheese and onion sandwiches!
You can’t beat Scones with jam and a glass of fizz but its just tea for me while I’m pregnant!
I do love scones and cucumber sandwiches an a nice strawberry tart.
Scones with cream and jam, and a glass of champagne!
I adore scones with my afternoon tea/ I’ll some times have a jaffa cake or a cookie though
It’s not afternoon tea without home made scones with jam and cream 🙂
It has to be scones and jam with a glass of prosecco
Nice sandwiches (either egg or cheese for me) a nice slice of victoria sandwich cake, scones with jam & cream & a hot chocolate.
Finger sandwiches, chocolate brownies and cream and jam scones. Yummy!
I love plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Yum.
Tuna mayonnaise sandwiches with cucumber would be the perfect afternoon tea
I haven’t got much of a sweet tooth so its all about the sandwiches for me! I love cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. I’ll enjoy that with an Earl Grey tea or prosecco if I can!
Scones with clotted cream and jam as my partner loves the,, and for me it would have to be egg and cress finger sandwiches
I would love a rainy (yes im crazy) afternoon, gazing out at the drizzled streets with my earl grey and a nice pieces of cake.
The perfect Afternoon Tea has to have plenty of tea gorgeous sandwiches and cakes as well as a scone.
cheese and cucumber sandwiches are a must for me!!
I adore bite size home-made cakes – little mini Victoria sponge cakes and battenburg
A selection of delicious but tiny things, so that you can try most of them plus some excellent gossip,
I love waffles with banana and hot chocolate sauce 🙂
Has to be fresh scones with butter and homemade jam
Buttered crumpets to start followed by some Victoria sponge cake,
I’d be lying if I said I usually rustle up a quick sandwich or a Kit-Kat for afternoon tea but with a set like this it would just make you try that little bit harder…it’s gorgeous. I especially like the glasses with the same pattern running round them. x
It has to be cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches (with the crusts removed of course!)
I love cheese and pickle sandwiches and scones for afternoon tea
Crumpets or scones with jam and clotted cream
A fresh cream scone smothered with strawberry jam
It has got to be traditional. I love other peoples egg and cress sandwiches as I hate making them myself because the eggs are so stinky. For scones, most definitely cream over jam and plenty of both. I love Spode Blue Italian range but sadly my pieces have diminished due to my husband’s breakage record.
Thanks for all the yummy recipes.
Jo
I LOVE afternoon tea! Scones with cream and jam, cakes and sandwiches… just amazing!
Is it even a Afternoon Tea without the four staples. A pot of Tea (with tea leaves), a ham and mustard sandwich, a scone (with cream and jam) and a macaroon? I think not they are must haves!
Ooh posh! That spode set is gorgeous and I do like an elegant afternoon tea. It’s probably no surprise to you, but as I’m from Cornwall it has to be jam first every time 😉
Smoked salmon sandwiches get me every time! For me, if I only had those for an afternoon tea then I would be over the moon.
I love your tea set and I’m definitely a jam first girl.
I like something a bit different, I especially like the crazy fun ones that you can find in London. Dineasor or Alice in Wonderland themes are my fave! (Plus prosecco served with the tea too!)
Love Spode Blue Italian, lovely to hear a little more about its making. Your family favourite sandwiches would go down well with us too! I do love an afternoon tea, especially served in gorgeous crockery!
We do small versions of the classics e.g scones, victoria sandwiches, among others
Cucumber and marmite sandwiches for me and scones with the cream first!
Probably sandwiches, although if I didn’t have to be a grown-up I’d bypass them and just have home made scones with lots of jam and clotted cream!
Afternoon tea has got to include scones and various small fancies
You’ve got to have a scone, and lots of sandwiches, there’s never enough sandwiches and too many cakes for my liking!
Definitely scones!
Lovely photos and some delicious-sounding recipes. The Spode china sets off the afternoon tea goodies beautifully!
I’m a cream on first person, which I believe is the Devon way?
My grandma used to serve Yorkshire high tea. I credit her for my love of old fashioned tea!
Afternoon tea week is a thing? As if I needed an excuse!
I always batch bake so I always have homemade goodies in the freezer, mini pies, sausage rolls, quiche and scones are my favourites for an afternoon tea.
Hmmm…I love macarons and the little cakes and mini tarts with jam.
I love fresh, warm scones with clotted cream and jam.
cheese and celery sandwiches, and then fruit scones with fresh cream
Cucumber sandwiches, mini Victoria sponges and lots of tea
Love myself some scones with jam & fresh cream, as well as cheese & tomato, and ham & cucumber sandwiches, oh and go on then, chuck some mini quiches in as well.. yum yum.
Tuna and cucumber sandwiches, chocolate eclairs, Victoria sponge and some clotted cream scones
There has to be cucumber sandwiches and prosecco and scones with lashings of clotted cream and jam.
I think a glass of prosecco is always the best accompaniment!
Champagne, smoked salmon sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam.
i like lots of cakes with mine especially scones and clotted cream
I love the Scones with jam and cream, and the little sarnies with the crusts cut off!
scone with a little jam
Brown bread finger sandwiches with ham egg mayo and tuna and mini scones with ham clotted cream and Victoria sponge cake I LOVE afternoon tea!
Love scones with clotted creamn on top and jam
Afternoon tea wouldn’t be the same without Cream cakes and egg sandwiches
Victoria sponge cake and scones with jam and clotted cream.
Earl grey tea and delicious scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam make the perfect afternoon tea.
I’m a big fan of a well made cucumber sandwich. Also a good cheese with a sweet chutney or salad. Then it’s all about the cake. I love mini, individual versions of traditionally bigger cakes – carrot, coffee and walnut, Victoria sandwich. All accompanied by a glass of fizz.
real china cups, a pot of tea, scones, cream and jam
This would be the perfect centre piece to an afternoon tea! Lovely 🙂
I love every bit of an Afternoon Tea but especially the petit fours
Fruit scones with jam and cream. An absolute classic.
i love afternoon cream tea – lots and lots of clotted cream and good strawberry jam for me, oh and coffee not tea!
I love those little cakes – just enough to pop in your mouth in one go!
I love plain scones with jam & clotted cream. I don’t mind I’d there’s no sandwiches or jam as long as I get my scones and cream.
i love a really proper buttery scone with a little jam
Im a big fan of lavender scones with clotted cream and a really good jam – either strawberry or raspberry. I also love cheese, so maybe some Stilton and grape sandwiches too?
I love afternoon tea, I prefer cakes to sandwiches though.
Afternoon tea is perfect with a miniature Victoria Sponge cakes. Lemon muffins with fresh cream are rather lovely too.
I really love fresh, warm scones with clotted cream and homemade jam
I love fresh, warm scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, tiny, little sandwiches with delicious fillings, and a glass of proseco.
A variety of fine sandwiches including smoked salmon, egg mayo and ham salad. Macarons and meringues are a must plus strawberry tart and mink éclairs. The finest tea and china (of course) plus a glass of Fizz. Oh …. and scones with cream and jam
That is mini eclairs …. not mink!
Also forgot to mention fruit cake ….
jumbo scones with squirty cream and loadsa strawberry jam, and a pot of english breakfast tea
Scones are a must, but I also love small meringues with cream and individual strawberry tarts.
Scones are a must, along with tiny sandwiches, pastries and cakes.
I love little sandwiches with fresh fillings, made for the tea. I love warm scones with fresh clotted cream and jam and chocolate based desserts. A hot chocolate with the tea would not go amiss as well!
Tuna and cucumber sanswiches and scones with clotted cream and jam 🙂
I love afternoon tea ,with tuna sandwiches and a selection of cakes..presentation is the key to sucess
Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, finger sandwiches (which HAVE to include smoked salmon and cream cheese!), a couple of cakes and some savouries, like mini savoury tarts – I always think afternoon teas tend to have too much sweet and not enough savoury!
a perfect cup of tea, and nothing too heavy or sweet – and the right company of course
I love a selection of fancy little sandwiches, tiny cakes and scones with jam and clotted cream
I love finger sandwiches – cucumber of course and mini meringues and fruit tart. I prefer prosecco rather than tea too 🙂
Love egg and cress sandwiches/smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches and some lovely scones with cream of course !
A selecion of sandwiches, scones and jam. cakes and biscuits. Not forgetting the prosseco!
I love to have scones with jam and cream plus a selection of sandwiches.
LETS HAVE A DEVON CREAM TEA WITH SCONCE’S AND CREAM
I like to use seedless raspberry jam with my scones
I like to make sure I use seedless raspberry jam with my scones.
I like smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches and tiny scones and clotted cream and jam
I like egg mayo, ham, cucumber and salmon sandwiches with scones with cream and jam, Victoria sponge and lashings of hot strong tea
With afternoon tea there always has to be a selection of sandwiches, some lovely cake and scones.
i love cheese and dips
I love an afternoon cuppa with a nice warmed Devonshire sconlop of topped with a doloclotted cream and strawberry jam!
Tuna and cucumber sandwiches cut into little triangles, served alongside delicious patisserie cakes, with scones with jam and clotted cream, preferably with a nice glass of champagne.
I like scones with cream, tiramisu’ and biscuits like digestive or shortbread 🙂
Cucumber and tomato sandwiches go very well with green tea.
I love Egg and Cress sandwiches and Eccles Cakes
Afternoon tea would be sandwiches like these, particularly the egg and smoked salmon & cucumber, followed by either cake or scones, jam and clotted cream.