Tea Party Recipes, DIYs and Etiquette

Print How-To

DIY Paper Flower Place Cards

Level:

Intermediate

How-To:

Table Decor, Invitation

• Decorative Paper/Gift Wrap
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil

1. Cut three pieces for flower shape. The more pieces, the fuller the flower will be. Change up the petal shape for different floral looks.
2. Curl the petals with a pen or pencil.
3. Glue pieces together.
4. Cut two pieces for the flower center. Can be any organic shape.
5. Glue and overlap the pieces
6. Create statemen piece by cutting a strip of paper and cut slits into the paper. Leave the bottom uncut for glue.
7. Add a thin line of glue on the bottom and roll the strip along the bottom.
8. Glue the entire piece to the center of the flower and fluff up all the pieces.
9. Attach flower to place card or attach to favor boxes.

*Add ribbon, beads, leaves and extra foliage to accessorize

Download Flower PDF

Print How-To

Galentine's Day Tablescape

Level:

Intermediate

How-To:

Home Decor, Party Decor

Seasonal Event:

Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day

• Foam core
• X-acto knife
• Poster board
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Cutting mat

• Horsehair webbing in desired colors
• Fabric scissors

• White tablecloth
• Cake stand
• Faux fur throw
• Loose faux snow
• Napkin rings
• Dashes gel adhesive stickers
• Silver chargers
• Flatware
• Champagne glasses

HEART CENTERPIECE

1. First you need to create the template. Fold your poster board in half and draw half of a heart. Cut it out then cut the heart in half.
2. Use your ruler to measure 3” inset from the edge of the heart all around and draw out the line, connect the point at the top and cut the bottom edge flat. Now you have your template!
3. Place the template onto the foam core, trace and cut out two halves of the heart.
4. To create the brace for each half of the heart cut a 3” wide foam core rectangle out with a slit cut halfway through the middle that is the width of your foam core. PRO TIP: Cut the top corners off of each rectangle so it’s easier to cover if just using snow.
5. Cut a slit out of the flat cut bottom of each heart half that is the width of your foam core and to the height of the slit in the other brace.
6. Slide a brace onto the bottom of each half heart and secure the intersection with hot glue.
7. Cut a piece of foam core for the base, ours was about 7” x 7”.
8. Secure one brace to the base with hot glue, position the other half heart about 2-3” in front of the other facing the opposite direction to create a full heart. Mark it before gluing to assure they line up properly.
9. Place in the center of the table.

BOWS AND POUFS

1. To create the poufs cut about 20” sections of the webbing and pull the thread in one edge of the webbing to gather one side. Tie a knot to secure. Repeat to create as many as desired.
2. To create the bows, tie the webbing into a bow and pull taut, trim the excess. Pull and twist the webbing to add volume.

DÉCOR

1. Place tablecloth and put the cake stand in the middle of the table. Place the heart on the cake stand. Secure the heart to the stand with dashes. PRO TIP: dashes are a removable gel adhesive that won’t ruin surfaces they stick to so they’re ideal for temporary set ups!
2. Lay the faux fur throw around the stand to create a mound shape.
3. Sprinkle the snow around and on the throw, especially where you need to disguise the base.
4. Place the bows all around the mound, if you created multiple colors cascade them from dark to light or vice versa to create an ombré effect.
5. Attach bows to the napkin rings with a dash or two.
6. Set the table.
7. Enjoy!

Print How-To

Tea Party Tablescape

Level:

Beginner

How-To:

Home Decor, Party Decor

• Hot glue gun
• Glasses
• Plates
• Saucers
• Assorted tea cups
• Candlesticks

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Glue plates together with a glass in between to make stand.
2. Glue tea cups on plates to form centerpiece.
3. Fill centerpiece cups with flowers.

Petit-Four Stands:

1. Hot glue small saucer to candlestick holder.

Print How-To

DIY Pressed Flower Ornaments

Level:

Beginner

How-To:

Handmade Gifts, Home Decor

• ½ cup Cornstarch
• 1 cup Baking soda
• ¾ cup Water
• Cookie Cutter
• Pearl white paint (optional)
• Floral or craft glue
• Mod Podge
• String

1. Mix cornstarch, baking soda, and water together in a saucepan over medium heat until it’s thick.
2. Roll out dough
3. Use a cookie cutter to punch out shape
4. Also punch a little hole to string through to hang on tree
5. Paint your “whit dough” with a pearl white paint for a nice finish (optional)
6. Dip dried flower into a light, floral or craft glue
7. Gently press flower onto ornament
8. Add a top coat of Mod Podge to seal
9. Leave out to dry
10. Tie on your string & then hang!
11. Enjoy your ornament!

Print How-To

DIY Monogrammed Tea Towels

Level:

Beginner

How-To:

Home Decor

• Linens
• Large stovetop pot
• Strainer
• Bowl
• Stirring stick
• Knife
• Monogram
• Iron
• Water
• Salt
• Vinegar
• Dye source material (Beets, blackberries, onion skins, coffee, or turmeric)

1. Cut up desired natural material (beets, blackberries, onion skins etc.) and dump into large stovetop pot
2. Add water to your stovetop (Use 2x the amount of the dye source material so for one cup of beets, 2 cups of water.)
3. Let simmer for 1 hr
4. Strain and let cool
5. Soak tea towel in dye. The longer you let it soak the richer the color will be.
6. Let dry
7. Wash linens
8. Once freshly washed and dried, add monogram with iron
9. Enjoy!

Tea Towel Prep:

1. If you are using a new item, wash it before starting your project
2. Based on your dye you will place your towels into simmering water for approx 30 mins-1hr.
3. For fruit based dyes use ¼ cup of salt and 4 cups of water
4. For vegetable based dyes use 1 cup of vinegar and 4 cups of water

Lemon Ginger Tea:

1. Add lemon and ginger slices into a pot and let it steep in hot water.
2. The longer you steep it, the more flavor packed and nutrient dense it will be. For a softer flavor, cut a small piece of ginger put it in your cup with some lemon and pour hot water.

Additions:

• Garlic (anti-inflammatory and immune system boost)
• Cayenne pepper (add with garlic, helps break up phlegm)
• Fresh grated turmeric (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant)

Print Recipe

Cinnamon Tea

Course:

Beverage, Tea

1. Combine in pot
2. low broil
3. Strain and Serve

Print Recipe

Brown Sugar Berry Cider and Chamomile Ginger Tea

Course:

Beverage, Tea

Time:

2+ hrs

1. Add cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, berries, and sliced apples to saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately lower and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
2. Strain the cider and sweeten with brown sugar and sea salt to taste. Stir over low heat until sugar has dissolved.
3. Serve warm in mugs with additional apple slices and fresh berries as garnish.

Chamomile Ginger Tea

1. Add water and grape juice to slow cooker and turn heat on high. Once liquid is hot, add ginger and chamomile, cover the lid and cook for 2 hours on low.
2. When ready, strain out ginger and chamomile leaves, then season tea with fresh lemon juice and honey (both to taste, for each portion or the entire batch).

Print Recipe

Homemade Lavender Lemonade

Course:

Drinks

Time:

Prep. Time: 5-10 mins., Cook Time: 10-15 mins.

1. Place the sugar and water into a pan and stir together over medium heat until the sugar dissolves
2. Place the lavender into the pan and stir together
3. Once the mixture starts to lightly boil turn the heat down to a simmer
4. Simmer the mixture together for about 10 minutes
5. Allow it to cool
6. Juice the lemons to get 1¼ cup of lemon juice
7. Combine the lemon juice with 4 cups of water
8. The lavender simple syrup will yield about 1 cup; add ¾ cup of it to the lemon juice/water mixture
9. If you would like it sweeter you can add the other ¼ cup!
10. Add ice and serve
11. To make this a cocktail simply add as much vodka as you like...start with a shot and go from there

Get the Instructions to the DIY Easter Tray and Drink Stirrers >>

Print Recipe

Green Tea Lemonade

Course:

Beverages

Cuisine:

American

Yield:

4 Servings

Time:

Prep Time: 10 mins.

1. Combine tea and lemonade in a pitcher.
2. Add chunked peaches, cherries and mint.
3. Muddle (crush) the mint.
4. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Print How-To

DIY Tiered Tea Stand

Level:

Intermediate

How-To:

Home Decor, Dinning Decor

• 3 plates/saucers
• Cake Stand Hardware Kit
• Drill with a Diamond Hole Saw Bit
• Sponge & Water
• Screw Driver

1. First drill holes into middle of plate using a drill with a diamond hole saw bit. Start at an angel until you get a ledge then straighten it out. Use a sponge soaked in water to wet the area you’re drilling so it won’t overheart.
2. Repeat this step in the middle of each plate.
3. To connect all you need to do is add a washer to the screw and thread it into the bottom of the biggest plate. Add another washer and screw on the first riser. Add another washer and thread through middle plate. Repeat these steps until you reach the top. Use a screw driver to tighten them in place.
4. Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Tea Sandwiches and Pastries

Course:

Brunch, Lunch, Sandwich

Pesto Sauce

1. Place the basil and spinach in the food processor topped with the garlic and nuts. Pulse a few times to break them down a bit. Add in the zest from the lemon and all the lemon juice. Pulse again and then drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth.

Ribbon Sandwiches

1. Margarine, room temperature (Earth Balance spreads best)
2. 4 slices of bread
3. To assemble, Lay 4 slices of bread out. Butter all the slices with the margarine. Spread one of each of the topping on one slice of bread.
4. Stack them starting with the pesto, then beet, then carrot. Top with the remaining slice of bread. Cut the crust off the bread and then cut into 2 or 4 triangles.

Cashew Cheese Spread

1. Place the cashews in a small pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, remove the lid and let boil for 8 minutes. Drain and rinse. Place cashews in a blender pitcher with the rest of the ingredients and blend until creamy.

Cashew Cheese, Arugula and Cranberry Tea Sandwiches

1. Assemble the sandwich by spreading one side of bread with the cranberry sauce and the other with the cashew cheese spread. Add a handful of arugula in the middle and press slices together. Trip crust off and cut into 2 or 4 triangles.

Bread I recommend for sandwiches: https://thrivemarket.com/p/schar-artisan-baker-white-bread or https://www.amazon.com/Katz-Gluten-Free-Bread-Ounce/dp/B00KABUWF2

Cucumber Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

1. Half smash the chickpeas with a fork then combine well with all the other ingredients. Sandwich between two slices of cucumber.

Toll House Cookies

1. Heat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugars with a hand mixer. Mix in the vanilla extract and flax eggs.
4. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts.
5. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough on to a cookie sheet and bake for 9 minutes.
6. Cool on baking racks and enjoy!

Make delicious Cucumber Dill Tea Sandwiches

Print Recipe

Cucumber Dill Tea Sandwiches

Course:

Lunch, Appetizers

Cuisine:

American

Yield:

6

Time:

Prep Time: 15 mins.

1. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and dill, lemon juice and stir to blend; season to taste with kosher salt and pepper.
2. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on 12 slices of bread; arrange 6 of the cream cheese covered bread slices on flat work surface.
3. Top each with 6 cucumber slices; close with top halves of tea sandwiches and press lightly to close. Using a serrated knife carefully cut off crusts.
4. Diagonal slice each sandwich in half and arrange on a serving plate. Garnish with additional fresh dill sprigs, if desired.
5. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate to hold.

Try these other tea sandwiches and pastries recipe

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Scottish Shortbread

Course:

Dessert, Snack

Cuisine:

Scottish

Time:

Cook Time: 15-20 mins.

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Shift flour, semolina and salt into a mixing bowl.
3. Stir in the superfine sugar.
4. Crumble the butter into the bowl and rub into the dry mixture with your fingertips to make fine crumbs.
5. Knead the mixture together with your hands until you have a smooth, dough like texture.
6. Place in the middle of the cake tin.
7. Using your hands, press the mixture out to fill the tin in an even layer.
8. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the shortbread is slightly colored.
9. Remove from the oven and leave to stand in the tin for 10 minutes until the shortbread has firmed up a little but is still warm.
10. Cut into wedges, sprinkle with superfine sugar and leave to cool and harden in the tin.

Print Recipe

Passionfruit Macarons

Course:

Dessert

Yield:

36 Macarons

Time:

Prep Time: 2+hrs, Cook Time: 12 mins.

Macaron Shells:

1. Place 55 grams egg whites in bowl of stand mixer. Start whisking on low.
2. Place 55 grams egg whites in separate bowl. Add food coloring and whisk to combine.
3. Sift almond flour and powdered sugar into a large bowl.
4. Prepare the Italian meringue. Place water in small pot over medium heat. Add the granulated sugar. Without stirring, cook on medium until 115 C / 239 F, or when bubbles slowly break the surface.
5. Increase speed on mixer to high. The egg whites should be just starting to form peaks as the sugar syrup reaches 118 C/ 244 F. Pour the hot syrup into the whisking egg whites, as the mixer is going. Continue to whisk on high for one minute. Reduce speed to medium and continue to whisk for 4-5 minutes, until the mixture cools slightly to 50C/122F.
6. Meanwhile, prepare piping bags and use a rubber spatula to incorporate the dyed egg whites to the powdered sugar/almond mix. Add a quarter of the meringue to the almond mix and stir it in to lighten the mixture. Add the remaining meringue and fold it in until the mixture is incorporated, starts to shine, and slowly falls off the spatula when lifted.
7. Transfer mixture to a piping bag with an 11-pt tip. Pipe according to the template on a silplat-lined baking sheet. Once a full sheet of macarons of have been piped, pick up the baking sheet and drop it on a table from about 5 inches. Let the shells sit undisturbed for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 325F.
8. Once the shells are no longer wet (if you lightly touch them with your finger, they should feel dry), bake them in a 325F oven for about 12 minutes. After the first 8 minutes, open the oven door slightly, and then close it. Repeat this step after 10 minutes. Once the macaron shells are cooked, remove the pan from the oven, and transfer it to a cooling rack. After about 10 minutes, remove the macaron shells from the lined pan. (If you don’t remove them, they may end up sticking.)

Filling:

1. Add the sugar and eggs to a large glass bowl. Whisk to combine. Whisk in the passion fruit puree and lemon juice. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water. The bowl should not touch the water. Whisk continuously until the mixture thickens and reaches 165F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the bowl from on top of the pot and immediately pour the curd through a strainer into a medium-sized bowl. (The strainer will strain out any curdled bits.)
2. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Stir in the softened butter. Use an immersion blender and blend for 2 minutes, until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Cover the mixture with plastic, touching the cream, and allow to set in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
3. Once the cream is set, assemble the macarons by piping the filling in the center of half of the macaron shells. Place a shell on top of each. Refrigerate overnight, which allows the filling to set. Remove from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving. The macarons should be served at room temperature.

Check out the recipe for Chocolate Orange French Macarons

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Southern Tea Cakes

Course:

Dessert

Time:

Prep Time: 2+ hrs., Cook Time: 18-20 mins.

1. These are soft, warm, tender pieces of your past. They aren’t sweet like a sugar cookie. They are the perfect amount of sweetness to encourage you to eat three or four in one sitting. The middle is always soft and the edges never brown.
2. Cream together butter and sugar.
3. Add in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla and lemon extract as well as the lemon zest.
4. Stir in the milk.
5. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Add that to the wet ingredients in increments. The dough will be stickier than traditional cookie dough. DON’T FRET!
6. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Chill the dough for at least two hours. If you don’t, the cookies will melt into a glob in the oven.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes. When you remove them from the oven they will look slightly underdone and smooth on the top. Let them cool on a baking rack if available.

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Bee Sting Cake for Two

Course:

Dessert

Cuisine:

American

Yield:

Serves: 2

Time:

Prep Time: 15 mins., Cook Time: 30 mins.

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Coat a 9x13 cake pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3. In a medium bowl combine milk, butter and eggs.
4. Gradually add in sugar, flour and salt. Mixing well.
5. When batter is smooth, add 3 tablespoons honey and continue to mix.
6. Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for an hour.
7. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.
8. For the topping:
9. Combine 1 cup of almonds with ½ cup granulated sugar and 4 tablespoons honey, stirring well.
10. Apply to top of the cake in layers; you will lose some in the process but continue adding layers until you run out.

Try out this Lemon Elderflower Bundt Cakes recipe