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How to host a twee afternoon tea
Once the preserve of the blue rinse brigade, the afternoon tea has experienced a resurgence in the style stakes. Here's how to recreate the twee tradition at homeWe're bidding farewell to the passe afternoon Cosmopolitan in favour of a nice cup of Lapsang Souchong and a fairy cake. We're breaking out the 'granny chic' table linen and getting down to the serious business of baking.
Think Cath Kidson meets Kate Moss. It's no surprise Ms M was the original tea trailblazer. So break out the biscuits, pop the kettle on and prepare to recreate the perfect afternoon tea at home.
The Gossip Tea
There's something about a mug of tea that helps you let it all out. So line up your best friends, crank the oven up, and get ready for a good old tea and sympathy session.For a delicious cake without the effort, cream 200g unsalted butter with 250g caster sugar, beat in two eggs and 200g sour cream before adding 300g plain flour and 3tsp of baking powder. Meanwhile, stir together 25g light brown sugar, 1tbsp cocoa and 2tsp cinnamon.
Beat this mixture into half the cake batter and put into a 2lb loaf tin alternately with the plain. Use a skewer to swirl the mixtures together then bake at 180C for an hour. Decorate with a lemon water icing and serve on a vintage glass cakestand (try Re-foundobjects.com) for simple style.
If you're feeling too lazy to even switch on the Kitchen Aid, pick up some wickedly indulgent Filthy chocolate bites from Filthyfoodcompany.co.uk but balance it out with Dr Stuart's teas. With 'Detox', 'Skin Purify' and 'Tranquillity' teas packed with essential oils and active botanicals, serve them up in white Sophie Conran mugs (pictured left, Mulberryhall.co.uk) and get stuck in to some serious scandal spreading.
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