Traditional English tea sandwiches

A plate of traditional English tea sandwiches is a classic part of afternoon tea, though you could enjoy them any time. These dainty bites are easy to make, with a range of simple fillings that are sure to please. Perfect to serve guests for lunch, a party or any excuse.

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I lived in London for many years and as with many people, I found after some time that while I knew my way around pretty well, I hadn't done a lot of the things tourists might do. I'd walked past rather than gone in various museums, I hadn't been to Harrods or various other high end stores in ages, and I hadn't had a fancy afternoon tea.

I made a point of correcting some of those, especially once I knew I was going to be moving elsewhere. My husband and I did a whirlwind visit to various tourist sights in our final months. I did try the odd afternoon tea, too, though that's also one you can recreate at home, whether in place of traveling or just because. And I highly recommend it now and then.

What is a typical afternoon tea menu?

Afternoon tea can vary in exactly what's included, but it usually has a few core components:

• Tea - it wouldn't be afternoon tea without it! You nearly always get to choose the variety and all the higher end places will use loose leaf tea. 
• Scones with jam (and usually cream) - another must for even the simplest of afternoon teas. The scones should be fresh, and ideally warm. 
• Sandwiches - these are the core savory course, which you start with, if you are having a more substantial afternoon tea. Fillings can vary, but they are nearly always finger sandwiches/triangles or sometimes small rolls.
• Cakes, small pastries or desserts - like sandwiches, you wouldn't necessarily have these with a simple afternoon tea, but if it's a more formal tea, then a few additional sweet options are a must. You often have a tier of sandwiches, and a tier of sweet options. These may be pieces of cake, things like Bakewell slice or a tea loaf, but could also include petit fours or small servings of desserts like mousse or cheesecake.

You may often have the option of adding a glass of champagne as well. As you might guess, you often don't need that much for dinner after all these tasty bites! Or, you could think of it as a late lunch, of course. Either way, it's worth trying a fancy afternoon tea at least once.

Traditional afternoon tea sandwich fillings

As with any sandwich, you can be as creative as you like with the fillings, though traditionally, there are a few classic choices. Many are simple, which makes them easy to make. But don't worry, with good ingredients they'll still have plenty of flavor.

Some classic fillings include:

• Cucumber with cream cheese or butter
• Smoked salmon and cream cheese
• Roast beef with horseradish or mustard
• Egg mayonnaise (egg salad) with cress
• Prawn (shrimp) with mayonnaise, sometimes with lemon and/or chives
• Ham and mustard
• Cheese (typically cheddar) and chutney
• Coronation chicken (a creamy curry sauce)
• Goat cheese and roasted vegetables (this is a more recent but common addition to have more vegetarian options).

What bread is best for tea sandwiches?

Traditionally, many varieties of tea sandwich are made with white bread, but it can be good to mix up the breads to give some visual variety. Some fillings like cucumber are more delicate so a plainer white bread works best, but things like smoked salmon work well with whole wheat or rye. 

The main thing you are looking for is the shape - you want a relatively square bread so you limit the waste as you cut off the crusts. Yes, removing the crusts can seem wasteful, but it's a classic part of these little bites to keep them more dainty. You also then get fillings right to the very edge. 

I often find the cut off pieces are quickly eaten as snacks, but you can also make them into breadcrumbs (you might need to remove the bits with filling attached, but call that quality control!). 

Tips for making tea sandwiches 

As I say, these are really easy to make, so just a couple tips:

• Use plain sandwich bread without too many holes, and relatively square shaped to limit waste.
• The filling should be roughly the same thickness as the bread, so neither too thick or thin.
• Add a thin layer of butter to most sandwiches, often even if you are adding eg horseradish/mustard as well. You might want to only put on one side for these but can do under. The butter is classic for flavor but also helps stop the bread become soggy. Soften the butter slightly before using to help it spread more easily.
• Cut the bread into small triangles or fingers. Finger sandwiches are typically two fingers thick, so you get about three or four from a slice of bread. For triangles, if your bread is pretty square, you can cut into four from corner to corner (as in photo above). If less square, cut in half through longer side then cut each half in two triangles. This way they will be more even height.
• For cucumber sandwiches, peel the cucumber - this saves it being too bitter. Then, cut in very thin slices - a mandolin or vegetable peeler is best. 
• Remove the crusts - this is a must for classic tea sandwiches! Typically you remove the crusts after adding the filling to help ensure the filling goes right to the edges. 
• Make the sandwiches as close to when you will serve them as you can - they can quickly go stale. If making slightly ahead, wrap tightly in plastic or foil and refrigerate sealed until you need them. 

Traditional English tea sandwiches are such a classic for afternoon tea, but also perfect to enjoy any time. The classic fillings are simple, but time-tested and easy to prepare. You can also be as creative as you like! Being so adaptable, you are sure to find something for everyone to enjoy. 

Try these other sandwich ideas:

• Smørrebrød - Danish open sandwiches
• Caprese focaccia sandwich
• Eggplant spinach grilled cheese sandwich
• And cheese scones are another idea for a savory afternoon tea option as well. 
• Plus get more British recipes and lunch recipes in the archives.

See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

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