38 Dainty Tea Party Foods

Luscious Blueberry Jam

This perfectly spreadable blueberry jam boasts a beautiful dark color with a sweet seasonal flavor. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

There are different time-honored tea traditions of English tea. Get yourself familiarized with the concept of high tea.

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, Ohio

Looking 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple Berry Mini Pies

I came up with these berry hand pies one summer day when I had an abundance of fresh blueberries, gooseberries and strawberries. The blend of flavors makes for a mouthwatering treat for breakfast, dessert or anytime in between! I typically make my crust from scratch, and I recommend gooseberries instead of raspberries for this recipe. —Brigette Kutschma, Lake Geneva

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

Mini Blueberry Bundt Cakes

These pretty berry cakes are perfectly portioned and topped with a yummy lemon-flavored glaze. —Cathy Isaak, Rivers, Manitoba

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

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

Very Berry Spread

Two kinds of berries make this jam deliciously different. I always keep some on hand. —Irene Hagel, Choiceland, Saskatchewan

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

Earl Grey Tea Cookies

Biscuit-like Earl Grey cookies are a wonderful addition to holiday cookie swaps because they are truly unique. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut

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

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

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

Winnie’s Mini Rhubarb & Strawberry Pies

Every spring, we had strawberries and rhubarb on our farm outside Seattle. These fruity hand pies remind me of those times and of Grandma Winnie’s baking. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California

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

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

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

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

Lemon Basil Tea

Infused with basil and lemon, this oh-so-drinkable recipe tastes as good as it smells. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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

Lemon Blueberry Drop Scones

I enjoy serving these fruity scones for baby and bridal showers. They're a bit lower in fat than most other scones, so you can indulge with little guilt. —Jacqueline Hendershot, Orange, California

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, Florida