Tea party food is all about dainty portions and bite-sized delights that look as good as they taste. You really need to keep things neat, elegant, and small when planning your menu.
While you technically can serve anything you like, I think sticking to authentic English treats really elevates the whole experience. I gathered 26 of my favorite tea party recipes to help you host the perfect afternoon gathering.
1. Mini-Decadent Chocolate Bundt Cakes
I received a mini bundt pan as a gift recently, and I honestly use it way more often than I expected. The little cakes are just so precious that I find myself making them instead of cupcakes most of the time.
You do not even need a heavy frosting since a quick ganache or glaze poured over the top looks absolutely stunning. I love finishing these with some edible glitter or fancy sprinkles for an extra special touch.
2. Fruit Tarts
You can buy sweetened crusts that work beautifully for these little tarts just like you can buy savory shells for quiche. Sugar cookie shells are another tasty option that becomes incredibly easy if you use premade dough.
I prefer using mascarpone instead of cream cheese for the filling when I want something ultra silky. It provides a luxurious finish that feels just a little bit more indulgent.
3. Tuna Tea Sandwiches
You absolutely must try lemon pepper seasoning if you have never used it before. The flavor is incredibly unique and zesty, which pairs perfectly with the tuna in these sandwiches.
I made this recipe using salmon once, and the pink color really added to the lovely tea party aesthetic. You could easily swap the goat cheese for Brie or simple cream cheese if you prefer.
4. Mini-Chicken Pot Pies
You might not see these at a traditional tea party, but I really enjoy bringing something warm to the table. Most items on this list are cold, which is great for prepping ahead of time and keeping things in the fridge.
However, your guests will definitely appreciate these warm, filling bites if you host your party during the winter. They come together quickly since you use canned soup, crescent rolls, and leftover chicken.
5. Crinkle Top Brownie Bites
This recipe is definitely not traditional, but I guarantee it will be the first thing to disappear from your table. Everyone loves brownies!
These little bites only need about 12 to 15 minutes in the oven since they are so small. You will lose that amazing fudgy texture if you bake them any longer than that.
6. Cucumber Sandwiches
These cute little sandwiches are probably the first thing you imagine when picturing a tea party. You see those crustless triangles in almost every online photo for a good reason.
They are incredibly light, easy to assemble, and always look fantastic on a platter. This specific recipe uses chives and dill in the cream cheese for an extra special flavor boost.
7. Mini-Cupcakes
You should definitely buy some special mini cupcake liners if you do not own a mini muffin pan. The pink and gold ones are so pretty, and you can just line them up on a standard baking sheet without needing a special pan.
I think the baking time listed in this recipe is a typo. These tiny cakes really only need 8 to 10 minutes in the oven.
8. Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars
This recipe is perfect if you need something gluten-free and vegan for your guests. The crust is delightfully crumbly and nutty, while the filling gets incredibly creamy thanks to coconut cream and cashews.
I love the tip about soaking the cashews in boiling water to speed things up. It saves me every time I forget to soak them overnight.
9. Battenberg Cake
This famous checkerboard cake is known for its incredible flavor and striking colors. It requires quite a few steps to perfect, but the technique itself is actually not too tricky.
You basically color half of your batter pink before baking it and then trim the cakes into long rectangles. You create the checkerboard pattern by gluing the pieces together with jam and wrapping the whole thing in marzipan.
10. Mini-Chocolate Cakes
These cakes are super cute single-serve treats even if they are slightly larger than petit fours. Your ceramic ramekins at home are perfectly sized for baking these little beauties.
One ramekin equals one individual cake. You just need to let them cool down, slice them in half, and add your frosting filling.
11. Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches (Canapés)
Smoked salmon is just one of those vibrant ingredients that people absolutely love. I prefer to keep things simple and not overpower the fish since it is a pricier ingredient.
These little crostini are the perfect vehicle for it. You can actually use the same dill cream cheese from the cucumber sandwich recipe for these bites too.
12. English Shortbread
Shortbread is similar to a sugar cookie, but the really good stuff is much simpler. You need a high ratio of fat to flour and very minimal handling to achieve that famous crumbly texture.
The best recipes use only sugar, butter, and flour, though some add cornstarch. You want the cookies to be very pale when you pull them out of the oven.
13. The Perfect Cup of Tea-British Style
British people love their tea with milk and absolutely no lemon in sight. You need to pour boiling water directly over the tea bag to stimulate the leaves and steep the flavor properly.
The flavor gets stronger the longer you leave it in the cup. I like to steep mine for a couple of minutes before squeezing the bag, but my brother prefers waiting up to five minutes for a stronger brew.
14. Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
I find lavender shortbread can be overwhelming to eat because the smell interferes with the taste. These Earl Grey bites are perfect for your next party because the flavor is subtle yet fragrant enough to notice.
I found that adding the tea to the sugar was much quicker than working it into the butter. The results were basically the same, so save yourself some time.
15. Petit Fours
These tiny bite-sized cakes look absolutely stunning arranged on a fancy stand. I think an almond or vanilla sponge works best because it allows for nice, even coverage with a light glaze.
The easiest way to make these is to bake one large sheet cake and freeze it. You can cut your squares once the cake is solid and then glaze them as they thaw.
16. Mashed Avocado Finger Sandwiches
Your vegan and vegetarian guests will be so happy to see these avocado and sprout sandwiches. You just need to remember to assemble them right before serving so the avocado does not turn brown.
I love adding garden cress or microgreens for a fresh green flavor and extra crunch. Microgreens are super easy to grow at home with a simple kit if you want to try it.
17. Mini-Lemon Meringue Pies
I cannot stress enough how much of a genius recipe this is. It uses a clever hack to simplify what is usually a very complicated dessert.
You use store-bought meringue nests and a quick lemon cheesecake filling instead of making curd and crust from scratch. Just top them with crumbled ginger biscuits and you are done in minutes.
18. Tea Cake Cookies
British people really do love dunking biscuits into their tea. While Rich Tea biscuits or Chocolate Digestives are the traditional choices, you can’t always find them here.
These tea cake biscuits are a fantastic alternative. They are sweet, buttery, and the perfect size for dunking into a hot cup.
19. Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe
Deviled eggs are a relatively cheap and straightforward recipe to add to your menu. You can easily boil a few extra eggs if you are already making egg salad anyway.
I like to mash the yolks until they are super smooth before mixing in the mayo to avoid lumps. Pipe the filling back into the whites and dust with paprika right before serving.
20. Cheesy Shrimp Tea Sandwiches
This is certainly not a traditional British recipe, but we can overlook that. One bite of these delicious snacks and you will forget all about those cucumber sandwiches.
You can use frozen, pre-cooked shrimp that have been thawed and drained if you
21. Crab Salad Sandwiches Recipe
This is another recipe where using a round cookie cutter makes the sandwiches look extra cute. You can also cut them into small triangles or long rectangles if you want less waste.
Your guests are going to love these no matter what shape you choose. The filling combines canned wild-caught crab with peppers, red onion, and a tangy, creamy dressing.
22. Easy Ham & Cheese Tea Sandwiches
It is amazing how a simple cookie cutter can totally elevate a basic sandwich. I recommend buying an uncut loaf of white bread and slicing it lengthways to cut down on waste.
This method gives you a much larger surface area to work with when cutting out your shapes.
23. Downton Abbey Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches
Most egg salad recipes are pretty smooth, which is probably why I usually avoid them since texture is a big deal to me. This version takes crunch to a new level with chopped red onion and celery.
It remains super creamy but gets a nice kick from a dash of lime juice and a spoonful of Dijon mustard.
24. Butterfly Raspberry Fluff and Nutella Tea Sandwiches
These might look like kid food, but I promise they are for the grown-ups too. You can skip the butterfly shape if you prefer, but the taste is undeniably good either way.
I had never thought to mix raspberry jam into marshmallow Fluff before trying this. It is dangerously addictive when paired with Nutella.
25. Mini-Lemon Cakes
The problem with baking mini treats is that they are incredibly easy to overbake. One minute too long in the oven can leave them sad and dry.
This recipe uses instant pudding powder in the batter to keep the crumb perfectly moist. It infuses flavor and keeps the cakes soft and tender.
26. Mini-Quiche (Any Flavor!)
These little quiches look absolutely adorable on a tea party cake stand. I know pastry can be finicky to work with, especially when dealing with such small portions.
That is why I almost always use frozen mini pie crusts for recipes like this one. They cut prep time in half and look perfect every time.