Afternoon tea will be a delight when you serve this tasty tea party food. From mini sandwiches to tiny scones, we've got all the tea party food ideas you could ask for.
36 Dainty Tea Party Foods
Updated May 03, 2024
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Luscious Blueberry Jam
This perfectly spreadable blueberry jam boasts a beautiful dark color with a sweet seasonal flavor. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
There are different time-honored tea traditions of English tea. Get yourself familiarized with the concept of high tea.
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Savory Cucumber Sandwiches
Italian salad dressing easily flavors this delicious cucumber sandwich recipe. Serve them as an appetizer for a holiday party or with tea as a snack. —Carol K Henderson, Chagrin Falls, OhioLooking for some more inspiration for your upcoming tea party? Use our curated list of the best tea sandwiches that are sure to leave an impression on your guests.
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Traditional Scones
Making scones is very simple—I learned from my wife, and I even hosted an English tea. These are light and very tasty. —Chuck Hinz, Parma, Ohio
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Homemade Lemon Curd
Lemon curd is a scrumptious spread for scones, biscuits or other baked goods. You can find it in larger grocery stores alongside the jams and jellies or with the baking supplies, but we like making this lemon curd recipe from scratch. —Mark Hagen, West Allis, Wisconsin
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Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Scones
Chocolate, hazelnuts and the tangy taste of buttermilk —these delicious scones are easy to make, come together fast, and taste so good with your morning coffee. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Turkey Tea Sandwiches with Basil Mayonnaise
Basil mayonnaise is the secret to these tasty little sandwiches. Keep any extra mayo in the fridge to spread on other sandwiches, stir into egg salad or layer on pizza crust before topping it with other ingredients. —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina
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Wild Plum Jelly
I’ve had this wild plum jelly recipe for ages. Each year when the plums are ripe, I’ll fill my pail and make this jelly. It’s so good served with toast, pancakes or waffles! —Ludell Heuser, Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin
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Soft Honey Cookies
These old-fashioned honey cookies have a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York
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Dried Cranberry Scones
I go on vacation with my best friend to Michigan every July. Her cousin is allowed to come, too—but only if she brings her special cherry scones! I make them with cranberries for the holidays. Don’t try to double this recipe. If you need more than 12, make two separate batches of dough. —Sherry Leonard, Whitsett, North Carolina
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Lemon Spiced Tea
Cinnamon and honey really perk up the flavor of basic lemon tea. Add a splash of lemon extract to take this drink delightfully over the top. —Adeline Russell, Hartford, Wisconsin
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Rose Petal Honey
This delicious recipe is a perfect topping for toast or English muffins. It is so simple to make and will impress guests at tea.—Mary Kay Dixson, Decatur, Alabama
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Mini Blueberry Bundt Cakes
These pretty berry cakes are perfectly portioned and topped with a yummy lemon-flavored glaze. —Cathy Isaak, Rivers, Manitoba
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Sunburst Spiced Tea
Our home economists use oranges and lemon to lend a lovely citrus flavor to ordinary black tea. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mini Rum Cakes
My mother and I tried many different types of rum cake to find the best one, and finally hit on this cake that doesn’t dry out and imparts the most flavor. For a really moist cake, brush rum over the individual sponge cakes before topping them with the filling. —Dona M. Hoffman, Addison, Illinois
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Very Berry Spread
Two kinds of berries make this jam deliciously different. I always keep some on hand. —Irene Hagel, Choiceland, Saskatchewan
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Strawberries ‘n’ Cream Scones
This strawberry scones recipe is rich with cream and packed with berry goodness. If you are like me, you won’t be able to eat just one! —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Earl Grey Cookies
Delight your taste buds with these Earl Grey cookies. Combining the subtle floral and citrus notes of Earl Grey tea with the warm spice of cinnamon and cardamom, they're ideal for an afternoon snack or elegant dessert.
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Cucumber Canapes
I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts
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Apricot Amaretto Jam
This thick, chunky apricot jam was my grandma’s recipe; it’s lovely to make something for my family and friends that she made for hers! —Linda Wegner, Robinson, Illinois
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Apple & Cheddar Mini Scones
Because cheese and sage go so well with apples, I decided to put them all in scones. These mini treats make a fall weekend brunch, tailgate or party even more fun. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Spiced Apple Tea
I love to try new recipes for my husband and our friends. This spiced apple tea is one of our favorites. I like to serve it warm or refrigerate and serve it cold, too. —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Tea Cakes
I’ve baked many batches of cookies through the years, but family and friends tell me these southern treats are the best. The simple buttery flavor appeals to all. —Doris McGough, Dothan, AL
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Carrot Cake Jam
For a change of pace from berry jams, try this unique option. Spread on a bagel with cream cheese, it tastes almost as good as real carrot cake! —Rachelle Stratton, Rock Springs, Wyoming
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Orange Dream Mini Cupcakes
The bright taste of these cute cupcakes reminds me and my friends of orange-and-vanilla frozen treats. —Jen Shepherd, St. Peters, Missouri
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Lemon Basil Tea
Infused with basil and lemon, this oh-so-drinkable recipe tastes as good as it smells. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches
I jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family's tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana
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Lemon Blueberry Scones
These miniature lemon blueberry scones, dotted with fruit and drizzled with citrusy glaze, are just right for a few sweet bites.
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Finger-Licking Good Mini Cream Puffs
This recipe is quick and easy to whip up and the kids will love it! They are perfect to pack for a picnic or to have as a snack for family game night I guarantee you can’t eat just one…they are so addicting and they’re perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth! —Jennifer Erwin, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
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Cranberry Orange Scones
Moist and scrumptious, these scones come out perfect every time. I savor the chewy dried cranberries and sweet orange glaze. There’s nothing better than serving these remarkable scones warm with the delicate orange butter. —Karen McBride, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Ginger Blueberry Jam
When I was very young, I watched my grandma make this jam in the kitchen. As I sneaked blueberries to snack on, she picked me up and told me that if I wanted any more, I’d need to learn to make this jam! —Jill Drury, River Forest, Illinois
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Citrus Mini Cakes
These moist, bite-size muffins are melt-in-your-mouth good. The recipe makes a big batch, so there’s plenty to please a crowd. —Linda Terrell, Palatka, Florida
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Violet Jelly
For a beautiful jelly to give as gifts, I make this recipe. Not only is it delicious but it will impress all! — Bernard Bellin, Franklin, Wisconsin
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Pecan Shortbread Tea Cakes
My Grandma Ellis made her shortbread cookies only at Christmas because the ingredients were so indulgent. The results are, too! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Bourbon Peach Jam
Bourbon has been popular at our house since we visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail a few years ago. Every bite of this jam reminds me of that fun trip. —Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas
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Mini Lemon Cheesecake Tarts
Dainty and light, these tartlets feature two of my favorites —lemon and cheesecake —in one yummy morsel. They look lovely topped with fresh raspberries, but sliced strawberries are just as pretty and delicious. —Gwyn Brandt, Hibbing, Minnesota
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Kumquat Marmalade
I didn’t even know what a kumquat was until my husband and I discovered them in southern Florida. Now I love using them for marmalade. I always get carried away making it and am happy to share! —Faye Robinson, Pensacola, FloridaOriginally Published: March 11, 2021
