If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties

This book has more than 60 recipes for all the treats you’ll need for an afternoon tea party: scrumptious scones, dainty tea sandwiches, savory appetizers, tea time sweets and the perfect pot of tea.

If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas for Tea Parties has 15 creative theme party ideas like “Lavender & Lace”, “Mad Hatter”, “Fortune Telling” and everyone’s favorite, “Chocolate”.

The book includes suggestions for invitations, games and activities, decorations, menu choices and party favors. Try some of the recipes and fun theme party ideas on this blog.

Book Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, Paperback, 108 pages, ISBN: 978-0-9790618-2-0.  Price: $8.95

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Introduction to If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties

An afternoon tea party is a great way to entertain your friends and family. Whether you’re planning an elegant Victorian Christmas tea party or a wild and crazy “Mad-Hatter” tea party, your guests will enjoy the festivities.

Invented in the mid 1800’s by the Duchess of Bedford in an attempt to stave off hunger pangs until the evening meal was served, afternoon tea quickly caught on in other English households, as well. The Duchess began a whole new trend that is still enjoyed today.

The very “civilized” practice of tea time forces us to slow our frantic, modern-day pace and take a brief time out to relax and enjoy the company of friends. Sharing delectable treats on our prettiest china shouldn’t be considered a luxury that we rarely experience.

Using the tea time tips, recipes and party ideas included in If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties, you can host a beautiful tea party to lavish on yourself and friends. So get out those teapots and create fond memories of lively conversation and laughter and fun, the way our ancestors have done for many years.

If only all those teapots could talk!

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Afternoon Tea Party Facts From: If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties

Afternoon tea is usually held between three and five o’clock in the afternoon. It is also called “low tea” because it’s usually served in a sitting room where low tables (like a coffee table or tea cart) are placed near sofas or chairs.

Many Americans confuse the term “high tea” with an afternoon tea. High tea is actually a supper and refers to the height of the table (a dining table) where the food is served, with everyone seated around the table. High tea is served between five and six o’clock. Unlike the dainty treats served at an afternoon tea, this tea includes more hearty dishes, such as shepherd’s pie.

An afternoon tea party is a festive affair, so plan to use your best dishes and teacups. Dainty tea sandwiches (both savory and sweet) and scrumptious cakes, cookies and pastries will delight the guests at your event.

Use pretty platters and tiered serving trays to present your tea time fare. And don’t forget to include a sampling of scones, which are usually served with jam, honey and Devonshire or clotted cream.

If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties will show you how to make all the delectable treats you’ll need for a proper afternoon tea, including the perfect pot of tea, plus a bit of tea time etiquette and fun theme tea party ideas.

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Apricot Orange Tea From: If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties

There are many flavored teas available in the form of loose tea leaves or tea bags at tea shops or your local grocery store that you can use for brewing the tea at your tea party. But it’s also fun to experiment with different combinations of flavors to create a special brew for your event. If Teapots Could Talk has 8 tasty recipes for flavored teas. Try the one below:

Apricot Orange Tea

2-1/2 cups apricot nectar

1-1/2 cups orange juice

2 cups water

1 cinnamon stick, broken

8 whole cloves

2 tablespoons black tea leaves

Combine apricot nectar, orange juice, water, cinnamon and cloves in a medium-size saucepan. Heat mixture just until boiling. Add tea leaves to warmed teapot. Pour boiling juice mixture into teapot and steep for 5 minutes. Stir and strain into cups. Sweeten with sugar.

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Apple Scones with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Butter From: If Teapots Could Talk

You can’t have a proper afternoon tea party without serving scones. There are thousands of recipes for these taste-tempting treats—either savory or sweet. Scones are similar to baking powder biscuits, either cut into traditional, triangle-shaped wedges or in rounds, using a biscuit cutter. Serve your scones warm with Devonshire or clotted cream and jam or flavored butters. If Teapots Could Talk has eight scrumptious recipes for scones. Try the one below:

Apple Scones

2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1/3 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup apples, peeled and finely chopped

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix together egg, half-and-half and vanilla extract; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in apples. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times or until smooth. Pat into a 7” circle, about 3/4” thick. Cut into 8 pie-shaped wedges. Or roll dough to 3/4” thickness and cut out circles with a 2-1/2” biscuit cutter, or 1-1/2” cutter for mini scones. Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon sugar. Place 1” apart on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes (15-18 minutes for mini scones) or until golden brown. Serve warm with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter (recipe below).

Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Butter

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a small bowl, beat all ingredients together until fluffy. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Soften for 15-20 minutes before serving.

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Olive Pecan Pinwheels From: If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties

Dainty tea sandwiches served on pretty platters are a must for an afternoon tea party. Whether you’re serving warm, open faced sandwiches or cold fillings sandwiched in between slices of bread, the possibilities are endless.

When making tea sandwiches, use thinly sliced, dense breads such as white, whole wheat, rye and pumpernickel. Always spread the bread lightly with softened butter before adding the filling. This keeps the filling from making the bread soggy. Assemble the sandwiches on full slices of bread and refrigerate them, then, just before serving, trim off crusts and cut each one into pieces, either four triangles or four squares.

You can also cut the bread into pretty shapes using cookie cutters to make them even more appealing. Prepare five to six sandwiches per guest. Any favorite filling such as chicken salad, egg salad or flavored cream cheese is good for serving at your tea party. If Teapots Could Talk includes 13 recipes for tea sandwiches. Try the one below: 

Olive Pecan Pinwheels

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons pimento stuffed olives, finely chopped

2 tablespoons toasted pecans*, finely chopped

6 slices of soft, white or whole wheat bread

In a small bowl, blend the cream cheese, olives and pecans. Trim crusts off bread and flatten with rolling pin or fingers. Spread 2 tablespoons of filling onto each slice of bread. Roll up jelly-roll fashion and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill at least 2 hours or until firm enough to slice. Remove plastic wrap and slice each roll into 5 pieces (3/4” slices). Makes 30 pinwheels.

*Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden brown.

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Mini Zucchini and Cheese Quiches From: If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties

2 large eggs
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup shredded zucchini
1 (15 ounce) package of refrigerated pastry (2 crusts for 9” pie)

Preheat oven to 350°. Unroll pastry and cut into 24 circles using a 3” biscuit cutter. Line mini muffin cups with dough. Place about 1 teaspoon of zucchini in each muffin cup. In a measuring cup with a pouring spout, beat eggs, half-and-half, onion powder, salt and pepper. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with egg mixture. Sprinkle about one teaspoon of cheese on top of each quiche. Bake 20-25 minutes until pastry is golden brown and centers are set. Let stand 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or cold.

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