6 Traditional Yummy Snacks to Have with Tea

Afternoon tea is a Victorian tradition very popular in Europe, especially in Ireland and England. Featured by a tray of delicious snacks and treats such as cakes, biscuits and spreads, teatime rituals are often delightfully shared with family and friends.

Ready to take your afternoon tea to the next level? We’ve got you covered with classic sweets, from biscuits and scones to crumpets and cakes. Here are 6 recipes for some ultra-delectable snacks to have with tea.

1. Irish Scones Recipe

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjbJIxRufAY

Scones are a teatime staple that originated in Scotland and quickly became popular across Britain and Ireland. These fluffy treats are usually enjoyed with clotted cream and jam, making them a deliciously rich companion to your cup of tea. Whether it’s for a special afternoon tea or a simple morning snack, scones are a versatile and beloved choice.

Ingredients

• 250 gm self-raising flour
• 3 Tbsp heaped caster sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 60 gm soft butter
• 100 ml buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• A handful of dried fruits (currants, raisins, sultanas, almonds)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar and dried fruits. Using your hands, mix the dried ingredients well until thoroughly combined; this will make your scones fluffy and airy. 
2. Add the butter and rub it with the dried ingredients until the mix gets crumbly. 
3. In a small bowl, mix the buttermilk with the egg. Pour the egg mixture over the flour and spare about 1 tablespoon of the egg mixture to brush the scones with at the end. 
4. Mix the egg with the flour, but do not over-mix, as it may harden your scones. 
5. Flour your table a little and spread your scone dough about one inch thick. 
6. Using your scones cutter, cut your scones and place them in a greased and floured baking tray. 
7. Brush only the surface of the scones with the egg mixture. Sprinkle some demerara sugar on top of the scones, and then finally, bake them in a 180-degree C oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they are golden on top.

2. Original Scottish Shortbread Recipe

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXM7BkAHuss

Scottish shortbread is a buttery and crumbly biscuit that traces its roots back to Scotland. Made with a simple blend of butter, flour, and sugar, this classic treat is often enjoyed during holidays and special occasions. Its rich flavour and melt-in-the-mouth texture make it a timeless favourite. 

Ingredients

• 375 gm plain flour
• 250 gm room temperature butter
• 125 gm caster sugar
• Pinch salt

Instructions

1. Blend the ingredients together with your hands for 5 minutes until the dough becomes pliable. You can use a mixer, but do not overdo it; otherwise, it will become hard. 
2. Spread your dough and cut it into your favourite shapes. 
3. Place the shortbread on the sheet pans lined with parchment paper. Bake them at 160 degrees C or 320 F for about 20 to 25 minutes. 
4. Take them out when they are a little coloured around the edges.

3. Tres Leches Cake Recipe

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_2yy6oEq9E&t=34s

Tres Leches Cake is a decadent dessert that hails from Latin America and is known for its ultra-moist texture. “Tres leches” in Spanish means “three kinds of milk”, as the cake is soaked in a mixture of three kinds of milk: evaporated, condensed, and whole milk or cream. It’s a go-to treat for celebrations and gatherings, loved for its creamy, rich flavour.

Ingredients

• 1 14 cup heavy cream
• 12 oz can of evaporated milk
• 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
• 12 tsp almond extract
• Seeds from 1 vanilla bean
• 3 extra large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 12 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 34 tsp kosher salt
• Powdered sugar
• 8 cups of mixed berries
• 5 Tbsp sugar

The Whipped Cream Ingredients

• 1 12 cups cold heavy cream
• 14 cup confectioner sugar
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp creme
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the 3 types of milk, then add the almond extract and the vanilla seeds. Mix well and leave it aside.
2. To prepare the cake, add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla, then mix at high speed for 10 minutes until the eggs become white and soft. 
3. Sift the dried ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt. 
4. While the eggs are being mixed, reduce the speed to low, then add half the amount of flour mix and half a cup of whole milk. Then, add the second half of the flour, mix for a couple of minutes, then switch off the mixer. 
5. Pour the batter into a 9x13x2 inches greased baking pan and bake it at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. 
6. Take the cake out and let it cool for 30 minutes. Poke the cake with the blunt end of a skewer. This step will allow the milk to soak into the cake well. 
7. Mix the berries with the 5 tablespoons of sugar and let it set for a couple of minutes before serving.
8. Pour the three types of milk mixture over the cake slowly and gradually. Cool the cake in the fridge for 6 hours.
9. With a little sifter, dust the cake with a thin layer of powdered sugar. 
10. To make the whipped cream ahead, mix the whipped cream ingredients and beat on high speed until it forms soft peaks.
11.  Serve the cake with whipped cream on top and a couple of tablespoons of mixed berries.  

4. Crumpets Recipe

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ganHDnSz3yw

One of the most common snacks to have with tea is English crumpets, a beloved breakfast staple that has stood the test of time in British households. Originating in the United Kingdom, these griddle cakes are characterised by their spongy texture and signature holes on the top surface. These holes are perfect for soaking up butter, jam, or any other spread you fancy, making each bite a delicious experience.    

   Ingredients

• 180 gm plain flour
• 235 ml lukewarm water 
• 1 tsp instant dried yeast
• 12 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp olive oil 
• 30 gm soft butter

Instructions

1. Add the sugar to the lukewarm water (about 104 degrees F) and mix it in. 
2. Add the yeast, stir well to combine and set it aside to activate. 
3. In a bowl, add the yeast, all-purpose flour, salt and the sifted baking powder. 
4. Beat the mixture with the electric beater for one minute. 
5. Cover the bowl and leave it to proof for 45 minutes in a warm spot.
6. You know the mixture is ready when it is bubbly and frothy. 
7. Heat a non-stick pan about 375 F.
8. Grease the inside of the ring moulds with a mix of oil and butter. 
9. Place the rings in the pan and fill them halfway to the top with the mixture. 
10. When the edges start to cook, they will become firm, and bubbles will start to form on top.
11. Remove the moulds and turn the crumpets over to cook on the other side. 
12. Remove them from the pan and enjoy eating them with butter and jam.

5. Apple Sponge Cake Recipe

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9vVTRd6pAk

The Apple sponge cake recipe combines the sweetness of ripe apples with a light, fluffy sponge, creating the perfect dessert or snack. It’s a simple recipe that combines basic pantry ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and apple chunks for extra flavour. Serve it warm or cool with whipped cream if you prefer, and it will be one of the tastiest snacks to have with tea.

To Prepare the Apple, You will Need

• 2 apples, peeled and sliced 
• 25 gm butter
• 15 gm lemon juice
• 20 gm sugar

Cake Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 130 gm sugar
• 60 gm milk
• 60 gm oil
• 60 gm yogurt
• Vanilla
• 200 gm flour
• 8 gm baking powder

Instructions

1. Add the butter to a medium-heat pan. When it melts, add the apples, lemon juice and sugar. Let them cook for only 5-7 minutes. 
2. In a bowl, combine the sugar, milk, oil, yoghurt, eggs and vanilla. Stir them well with a whisk to combine. 
3. Add the sifted flour and whisk well. Pour the batter into a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 
4. Spread the cooked apples gently on the surface of the cake. Stick the pan in a preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes at 180 degrees C.  
5. Let the cake cool down before removing the paper.
6. Dust the cake surface with powdered sugar and enjoy the taste.

6. Traditional Flaky Biscuits Recipe

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9rjIag6W-s&t=8s

British biscuits are popular choices to enjoy with afternoon tea. These biscuits are known for their golden colour and super flaky texture with string buttery taste. It pairs perfectly with soft butter and jam. Whether you enjoy it as a breakfast or in the afternoon, they definitely add a sweet and comforting touch to any teatime spread.

Ingredients

• 4 cups flour 
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 226 gm cold butter
• 320 ml milk

Instructions

1. In a sizable bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and butter.
2. Use your hands to break the butter and rub it with the flour until it is well-mixed. 
3. Add the milk gradually to the dough and mix until you have a firm dough, but be careful not to knead the dough; otherwise, it becomes hard. 
4. Place your dough on a powdered surface, and use your hands to form it into a one-inch thick rectangle shape. 
5. Fold the dough over, cut it in half and then stack the two halves over each other. This step is very important as it will create layers and make your biscuits flaky. 
6. Form the dough again into a one-inch thick rectangle shape and repeat the previous steps three additional times.
7. Form the dough into a rectangular shape of one inch thick one last time.
8. Grab your biscuit cutter, dip it in flour and then cut the dough. Arrange the biscuits on a lined baking pan. 
9. Insert the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 20 minutes before baking.
10. Stick the baking pan into the oven and let the biscuits cook for 20 minutes until they are golden brown. 
11. Spread some butter and jam and enjoy them among other delicious snacks to have with tea.

Teatime is such a friendly ceremony of leisurely gatherings and nibbling on treats and goodies. So, don’t miss the chance of treating yourself to these traditional recipes for some of the best snacks to have with tea that are going to make your teatime a whole lot tastier!  

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