Classic Afternoon Tea Sandwiches

Discover classic afternoon tea sandwiches with our sumptuous egg and cress, refreshing cucumber and cream cheese, and elegant smoked salmon.

Tea time is a cherished tradition in many cultures and there’s no better accompaniment to a cup of tea than some delicious tea sandwiches. These dainty treats are perfect for any occasion – from fancy afternoon teas to casual get-togethers. And the best part? They’re incredibly easy to make!

Get ready to impress with these deceptively simple yet elegant tea sandwiches. With a few basic ingredients, you’ll have a variety of mouth-watering options that are sure to please any palate.

Join me as I share the secrets to crafting these bite-sized treasures that are bound to charm your guests. With every delicate bite, you’ll be transported to a quaint English garden or the cozy corner of a vintage tearoom.

Afternoon tea is a British tradition that has been enjoyed for over 180 years, and has gained worldwide popularity.

One of the quintessential elements of this beloved ritual is the humble tea sandwich. Delicate bites of bread filled with various savory and sweet fillings, tea sandwiches are the perfect accompaniment to a piping hot cup of tea.

If you’re looking to jazz up your afternoon tea spread, here are three tea sandwiches that are sure to impress.

A Trio of Classic Afternoon Tea Sandwiches

Cucumber and Cream Cheese

This sandwich is a classic for a reason. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for the summer months. To make this sandwich, simply spread some cream cheese on a slice of white bread, add some thinly sliced cucumber, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Remove the crust, and cut into triangles or fingers, then serve!

Alternatively you can skip the cream cheese and use the more traditional option of butter. I highly suggest using butter if serving other sandwiches with creamy fillings to help provide a lighter, more refreshing option.

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese

Another classic in the world of tea sandwiches, smoked salmon and cream cheese is the perfect combination of salty, smoky, and creamy. To make this sandwich, spread some herbed cream cheese on two slices of bread, and sandwich smoked salmon between them. Cut into small triangles or fingers with the crusts removed for the perfect bite.

Egg Salad with Cress

This sandwich might seem simple, but don’t underestimate its charm. Egg salad is a traditional tea sandwich that always goes down a treat. To make this sandwich, mash up hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chives, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread the egg salad onto a slice of bread, top with cress, and cut into small pieces for easy eating.

More Classic Afternoon Tea Sandwiches

1. Coronation Chicken Sandwiches – Created for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, these sandwiches are made with cooked chicken, mixed with mayonnaise, curry powder, mango chutney and sultanas for a sweet and spicy flavour.
2. Ham and Mustard Sandwiches – Smoked or cured ham, sliced thin, and served with English mustard is a simple and satisfying afternoon tea sandwich. Use dijon if you can’t find English mustard.
3. Prawn Cocktail Sandwiches – Inspired by classic shrimp cocktail, these sandwiches feature cooked, seasoned prawns mixed with a creamy sauce, and served on a bed of lettuce.
4. Tuna Salad Sandwiches – A simple sandwich, made with canned tuna, mayonnaise, and diced celery, but surprisingly flavourful.
5. Roast Beef and Horseradish Sandwiches – Thinly sliced roast beef, paired with a creamy horseradish sauce makes for a delicious and satisfying sandwich.
6. Cheese and Pickle Sandwiches – For a vegetarian option, this sandwich features sharp cheddar cheese paired with pickled vegetable chutney for a tangy and savoury sandwich.

Tips for Making the BEST Tea Sandwiches

Choose the Right Bread

The bread is the foundation of any sandwich, and for tea sandwiches, it is no different. Choosing the right type of bread is crucial in creating a perfect tea sandwich. The ideal bread for tea sandwiches should be thin-sliced, fresh and soft. Avoid using thick or crusty bread as they can be difficult to bite into and overpower the delicate fillings. Traditional white or wholemeal bread works well, but you can also experiment with different types of bread such as brioche, pumpernickel or even croissants for a unique twist.

Spread Your Fillings Evenly

The key to making the perfect tea sandwich is spreading your fillings evenly. Whether it’s butter, cream cheese or any other spread, make sure to spread it evenly on the bread. This creates a smooth base and prevents the sandwich from being lopsided. It also ensures that every bite has an equal amount of filling and adds to the overall taste and texture of the sandwich.

The filling of the sandwich should be no thicker than a slice of the bread. This helps keep the sandwiches dainty.

Avoid Soggy Bread

Nothing ruins a tea sandwich more than soggy bread. To avoid this, be mindful of the amount of moisture in your fillings. If using wet ingredients like cucumber or tomatoes, make sure to spread both pieces of bread with a layer of butter or cream cheese to act as a barrier.

Be Creative with Fillings

Tea sandwiches are all about combining unique flavours and textures in one bite. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your fillings. Use a combination of sweet and savoury ingredients, such as cream cheese and jam or chicken and cranberry sauce. Just be sure to keep the filling delicate and thinly sliced to maintain the elegance of the sandwich.

Remove the Crust

To add to the dainty appearance of tea sandwiches, it is a tradition to remove the crusts. This not only gives a polished look but also ensures that every bite is soft and tender. Use a sharp knife to trim off the crusts after assembling the sandwich to ensure the fillings go from edge to edge.

Cut into Uniform Shapes

The presentation of your tea sandwiches is just as important as the taste. After all, we eat with our eyes first. To achieve an elegant and uniform look, make sure to cut your sandwiches into equal shapes and sizes. Popular shapes for tea sandwiches include triangles, squares or rounds. You can use a cookie cutter for precise cuts or simply use a sharp knife.

Avoid Dried out Bread

Leaving your tea sandwiches out for too long can cause the bread to dry out. To prevent this, cover them with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap until serving. This will help keep the sandwiches moist and fresh.

Presentation is Key

Lastly, don’t forget about the presentation. Arrange your tea sandwiches on a decorative platter or tiered stand for an eye-catching display. You can also garnish with fresh herbs or edible flowers to add a pop of colour and flavour. And remember, it’s all in the details, so make sure to wipe off any crumbs or excess filling for a clean and polished look.

When filling a tiered stand for afternoon tea, start with the sandwiches and any other savoury bites on the bottom, followed by scones on the middle tier, and finally, sweet treats on the top. This creates a balanced and visually appealing display.

About the Ingredients for Tea Sandwiches

Cucumber – You should use English cucumber, and not American cucumbers. If you only have American cucumbers on hand you will need to peel them before slicing. English cucumbers are sweeter which makes them more suitable for this sandwich.

Cream cheese – Use a good quality cream cheese, and ensure it is softened enough to spread without ripping the bread.

Seasoning – You will want to salt and pepper the cucumbers, as well as the egg salad mixture. Nobody likes bland sandwiches.

Bread – You may use any type of sandwich bread you prefer, but it must be perfectly soft, and fresh. White sandwich bread is a good choice for more delicate flavours such as the cucumber and egg sandwiches. Darker, stronger flavoured bread hold up well against roast beef or ham.

Eggs – When hard boiling your eggs for egg salad, I find it is a little better to cook them just a little under. I find 8 minutes instead of the usual 10 makes a yolk that is still fully cooked but moist.

Mayo – Use real mayonnaise, do not substitute with dressings as they may drown out the flavour of the egg.

Dijon – Dijon mustard adds a bit of zing.

Cress – If you can’t find watercress or garden cress, feel free to use any other leafy greens. Arugula is a good substitute as it also has a mild peppery flavour, similar to cress.

Butter – A thin layer of butter on the bread helps seal the fillings inside the sandwich, and helps to prevent soggy bread.

Lemon – Look for a lemon with thick skin to get the best zest. A touch of lemon juice is all you need. It adds a bit of freshness to the smoked salmon.

Dill – Fresh dill only.

Smoked salmon – Use a good quality smoked salmon for the best flavour and texture.

What to Serve for Afternoon Tea

Aside from sandwiches, there are plenty of options for serving at an afternoon tea.

Some traditional choices include scones with jam and clotted cream, pastries such as macarons or mini cakes, and small bites like cheddar bites or goat cheese puff pastry bites.

A pot of hot tea is a must-have of course!

How to Make Tea Sandwiches

For the Cucumber Sandwiches:

• 1/2 English cucumber
• 4 oz cream cheese or butter
• Fresh dill, chives, or mint, optional
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 6 slices white bread

For the Egg and Cress Sandwiches:

• 3 large eggs, hard boiled and cooled
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Butter
• 6 slices white bread
• 1/2 cup watercress

For the Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Sandwiches:

• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 6 slices brown bread
• 4 oz smoked salmon

Directions:

For the Cucumber Sandwiches:

Peel the cucumber if desired. Slice the cucumber thinly into rounds or strips.

Combine cream cheese with herbs if using.

Spread one side of each slice of bread with a thin layer of cream cheese or butter.

Layer cucumber pieces over half of the bread slices.

Season with salt and pepper.

Place remaining slices, cream cheese side down, over the cucumber.

Remove crust and cut into triangles or fingers.

For the Egg and Cress:

In a medium bowl, mash the eggs until chunky with a fork.

Add in the mayonnaise, dijon, chives, salt, and pepper and mash with a fork until well combined.

Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread, then spread over half of the slices with the egg mixture.

Top the egg salad with cress, then with the remaining slices of bread, butter side down.

Remove crust and cut into triangles or fingers.

For the Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese:

Mix together the cream cheese, dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice (to taste). Season with salt and pepper.

Spread one side of each slice of bread with a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture.

Layer smoked salmon over half of the bread slices.

Place remaining bread slices, cream cheese side down, over the salmon.

Remove crust and cut into triangles or fingers.