Easter Themed High Tea Party
I love creating a beautiful Easter table with the colors of spring. This year is going to be a bit different, though. I will be visiting Washington DC to watch my daughter sing in the choir at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew The Apostle for Easter vigil and go to brunch with her when she is done. I love to listen to her sing, and what better an occasion than on Easter Sunday in a cathedral. I’m looking forward to it.
Since we will be traveling this year, I decided to create an Easter table a bit early for when we are all together but design it with a more casual yet elegant feel that I love.
After traveling to England a few times, I have enjoyed the festivities of a proper British high tea. There is something decadent about little finger sandwiches and delicate bite-size chocolate desserts that feels special when gathering around a table.
When my daughter was a little girl, I used to bring her to The Plaza in New York City for high tea. At the time, she was very into the books Eloise and especially loved Eloise at the Plaza. All the antics of this pretend character sparked her imagination, and it was fun to read the books with her. She delighted in the special high tea ceremony when dining at The Plaza. She now loves when I am hosting a tea party of any type, and often she will go to high tea when visiting the UK.
I made several kinds of finger sandwiches and scones. The finger sandwiches were egg and dill salad, ham and pickle salad, chicken salad, and cucumber with cream cheese.
I made the traditional sweet scone first and then baked a lemon and a raspberry scone drizzled with a raspberry and lemon frosting.
“Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. ”
Because the theme of my table is Easter High Tea, I decided to place a few decorative items on my table that would highlight the celebration of Easter, one being moss-covered bunnies.
The linen napkins I chose are just so beautiful with the delicate floral embroidering. They are perfect for a beautiful Easter or spring/summer-themed table design. They are one of my favorites!
I also added some easter candy in one of my favorite vintage glass easter baskets.
The difference between an afternoon tea and high tea is what you serve. Afternoon tea is usually served with lovely scones, tea sandwiches, and cake. High tea is more of a hot savory meal. It is served with additional items like meats, fish, eggs, and more bread and desserts. I wanted to serve a high tea. Therefore, I added a meat and cheese charcuterie board and some appetizers that included a fish. I also chose to serve an alcoholic punch instead of tea. High tea also is known to be served at a more formal table later in the day.
This punch is similar to what you would have seen years ago at a bridal or baby shower. I found the sherbet punch recipe on the Sip and Feast website. Here is the link SHERBERT PUNCH.
Did you know that sherbert punch is coming back into vogue with a bang!
The only difference I made to this recipe is that I used only raspberry sherbert and added a splash of rose simple sugar to the punch to give it a slight rose-infused taste. I added ice cubes that had rosebuds frozen inside them for garnish in the punch and some mint leaves for additional color.
““Earth laughs in flowers.”
”
This appetizer is endive stuffed with lavender goat cheese, pear, pecans, and dried cranberries drizzled with lavender honey.
The miniature tomatoes are stuffed with a tuna, dill, and cucumber salad and garnished with fresh dill and MINIATURE cucumbers.
This simple charcuterie board has meat, different types of cheeses, crackers, and some CHOCOLATE-COVERED almonds.
To create a slight interest in my charcuterie board, I cut small flowers out of cheese and laid another differentiating color on top of it. I made rosettes out of hard salami.
When designing for any party, it’s nice to use platters made of organic materials like wood or natural stone like marble. I garnish with flowers…always flowers!
People taste with their eyes first and then with their taste buds. Presentation adds to the delicacy of your meal.
Desserts for a tea should only be small enough to finish with a few bites. I made several chocolate desserts with a rich, decadent buttercream frosting. One was a chocolate cake topped with buttercream and some Easter candy. The other was a brownie, topped with a high staked swirl of chocolate buttercream and an edible 24 KT gold paper on top for some elegance and presentation. I also added a store-bought raspberry petit four for color, contrast, and variety.
You can never get enough chocolate in my book!
I always keep my table styled without food on it when guests arrive. Before we ate, I replaced the floral centerpiece with my tea caddy filled with finger sandwiches and scones. I added my charcuterie board and other additional items to the table.
This pretty vintage Limoges china is perfect for a tea party. Don’t be afraid to mix and match modern dishware with vintage pieces. Also very in vogue these days! It brings warmth and character to your table that you otherwise can’t find. Layering your plates and linens adds textures and patterns, creating interest in your design and keeping the eye moving throughout your tablescape.
““Be able to set a table so that you feel like you’re dining, not just sitting and eating.” ”
Design with your heart™️
“may your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows.”
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome your input anytime!
Happy entertaining my friends!
Mary
