For fantastic afternoon tea sandwiches choose a mixture of sweet and savory sandwiches from the recipes below, or mix and match flavors to create your own afternoon tea sandwiches creations.
The ideal bread to use for all of these selections is thinly sliced white bread, although you can substitute for wholemeal or gluten-free bread.
Note: While it can be tempting to omit the butter, keep in mind that this creates a barrier for the moisture of the fillings and keeps the bread from getting too moist or soggy.
Roast Chicken and Honey Mustard Sandwiches
Spread the bread with butter and a thin layer of honey mustard.
Slice the roasted chicken and place on next.
Put the final slice of bread on top and cut to serve.
A three-tiered cake stand, like this Royal Albert Floral tiered plate, is perfect for displaying sandwiches on the table. Put savory sandwiches on the lower tiers and sweet varieties at the top.
Smoked Ham, Brie, and Apple Sandwiches
Butter two slices of bread.
Layer the smoked ham, sliced Brie, and thinly sliced apple on one slice of bread.
Place the second piece of bread on top and cut to serve.
Grated Carrot and Raisin Sandwiches
Arrange freshly grated carrot on a slice of buttered bread and sprinkle with soft raisins (soaked in warm water for an hour is best).
Place another buttered slice of bread on top and cut into triangles for serving.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
These are so simple to make, but people will not be able to stop eating them!
Make or buy a simple chicken salad, with shredded chicken and mustard mayonnaise.
Spread evenly onto a slice of bread.
Place the second slice on top and cut into fingers.
For extra taste, you can add sliced apple or celery into the chicken salad.
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Mix mashed hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise and a small amount of mustard to make a paste.
Spread evenly and thickly onto a slice of bread.
Add the second slice and cut into fingers for serving.
For extra taste, you can add sliced apple or celery.
Small Square Serving Plates like these ones can be used to serve individual sandwiches or toppings.
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
Spread a thick layer of softened cream cheese on one slice of bread.
Lay thin slices of smoked salmon on top of the cream cheese and cover with the top slice of bread.
Cut into triangles or fingers for serving.
A classic Three Tier Sandwich Plate like this one is perfect for creating an elegant display of sandwiches.
Classic Cucumber Sandwiches
Classic cucumber sandwiches are the easiest to make.
Spread a layer of butter on a slice of white bread.
Remove the skin of the cucumber.
Slice the cucumber into thin round slices.
Place on the bread and season with a small amount of pepper and salt
We love these Alice In Wonderland Favor Domes for adding some fun to the table. You can serve small sandwiches in them or add a little sweet treat.
Tomato and Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Fingers
Thinly slice the tomato and the cheddar cheese.
Layer onto a buttered slice of bread.
Place the second slice of bread on the top and cut into triangles or fingers for serving.
Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Italian Style Sandwiches
Thinly slice the tomato and the mozzarella cheese.
Layer onto a buttered slice of bread.
Place the second slice of bread on the top and cut into triangles or fingers for serving.
For added taste add fresh basil leaves to the sandwich.
Asparagus Rolls
Freshly cooked or tinned green asparagus work best for this,
but be sure to drain the asparagus well before placing on the bread or you will have a soggy mess.
Butter the bread first and salt it.
Lay the asparagus over the bread and roll into sandwich rolls. Serve immediately.
Asparagus Rolls look great served on a silver platter like this one
Tuna, Mayonnaise, and Mango Sandwiches
Butter two slices of bread.
Spread with mayonnaise.
Used tinned tuna that has been well-drained.
Place the tuna on next.
Fresh or tinned mango can be used next.
Layer this on top of the tuna and top with the final piece of bread. Cut and serve.
Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Sandwiches
Butter the bread.
Layer the thinly sliced smoked salmon on the bottom slice.
You can also use well-drained tinned salmon for this.
Peel and thinly slice the cucumber and layer on next.
Place the top piece of bread on and cut to serve immediately.
Crab Salad Sandwiches
Butter both pieces of bread well.
Use a simple store-bought crab salad and spread thickly on the bottom layer of bread.
Place the top layer of bread on and cut to serve.
Camembert and Fig Sandwiches
Butter two slices of bread.
Lay a thick slice of camembert cheese on the bottom slice.
Use dried figs or fig jam next to layer on next.
Place the final layer of bread and cut to serve.
Pack up your sandwiches for a day out in this wonderful Picnic at Ascot Basket.
Roast Beef and Horseradish Sandwiches
Butter two slices of bread.
Lay a thin slice of roast beef on the bottom slice.
Spread Horseradish sauce over the roast beef and place the final layer of bread.
Cut to serve.
Shrimp Salad Sandwiches
Butter both pieces of bread well.
Use a simple store-bought shrimp salad and spread thickly on the bottom layer of bread. Add sliced cucumber and watercress.
Place the top layer of bread on and cut to serve.
Make a beautiful cheese platter to serve alongside your sandwiches with Gourmet French Cheeses Delivered to your door
Smoked Turkey and Applesauce Sandwiches
Butter two slices of bread.
Lay a thin slice of smoked turkey on the bottom slice.
Spread applesauce over the turkey and place the final layer of bread.
Cut to serve.
Strawberry Cream Sandwiches
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon honey
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
- 2 slices of very thin sandwich bread
- 2 medium strawberries, sliced
PREPARATION
Combine cream cheese, honey, and orange zest in a bowl.
Spread bread with the cheese mixture.
Place sliced strawberries on 1 piece of bread, top with the other.
Cut into small fingers.
Sun-dried tomatoes and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
Spread a thick layer of cream cheese on one slice of bread.
Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and drain them well.
Arrange the cut tomatoes on the cream cheese and place the top layer of bread on and cut to serve.
Try something different by using this large Wooden Serving Platter for serving sandwiches
Lavender Jelly Afternoon Tea Sandwiches
Butter both slices of bread.
Apply a thick layer of lavender jelly and place the final layer of bread on
We recommend the French-made L’Epicurien Confit of Lavender Flowers to add a European touch to your afternoon tea.
Turkey, Cheese, and Basil Afternoon Tea Sandwiches
Butter two slices of bread.
Layer sliced turkey and cheese on the bottom layer.
Sprinkle with fresh or dried basil.
Place
Many More Sandwich Ideas in High Society Sandwiches:
Many More Sandwich Ideas in High Society Sandwiches: This classic guide to sandwiches has more than 100 recipes for afternoon tea sandwiches that will delight!
More Classic Recipes In High Society Refreshments
Looking for more inspiration for your next event? Find lots more ideas and recipes for all occasions in our
The New Vintage Tea Party Book – is available on Amazon now.
The New Vintage Tea Party Book
Learn how to plan the perfect tea party with ideas for themed tea parties including recipes, table settings, decorations, and more.
A few of our favorite teas:
Harney & Sons Royal English Breakfast Tea is a wonderful tea for serving all day. We love the classic tin these tea bags come in too!
The Fortnum & Mason Royal Blend Tea brings a royal touch to your tea party. This loose-leaf tea comes in the classic Fortnum & Mason Tin.