Afternoon Tea in Leigh on sea, Essex

There's nothing quite like sitting outside in the summer sun, enjoying an afternoon tea. Quintessentially British, it's a part of our culture and heritage. 

According to Historic UK, afternoon tea was introduced in England in 1840 by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, because she became peckish in the afternoon whilst waiting for her late evening meal. It eventually led to it becoming a social event amongst those of high status, where people would don their Sunday best to attend. 

Nowadays, an afternoon tea is something you can enjoy anywhere with anyone, at any time - the ingredients becoming more readily available, and the places that offer it being more accessible. 

Did you know we're one of those places?

At Sarah's Chocolate Kitchen we offer a mouthwatering afternoon tea for just £22 per person. We cater for those who require a vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free option, and all of it is baked fresh. Because of this we do require advanced notice of 48 hours, to make sure we have all the ingredients needed, and to reduce food waste too - we only make to demand, so we're not throwing away excess food. 

Our afternoon tea consists of both sweet and savoury goodies - finger sandwiches, scones, brownies/blondies, sausage rolls, macarons, and more! 

What's your must-have afternoon tea item?

For me, it has to be the scone, clotted cream and strawberry jam. I think the scone is what makes it an afternoon tea... it doesn't feel right to make them without one, or enjoy one myself without one. I'd go as far as saying it's a deciding factor when I book in for one that if there isn't a scone on offer, I won't book it. I know that might sound a little OTT but we all have our preferences don't we?! 

The Great Scone Debate

Jam first or cream first? A debate that has spanned the ages, it seems. 

According to www.boundless.co.uk a poll they took showed that 66% of people prefer to lather their scone in jam before adding the cream on top, with the remaining 34% doing it the opposite way - I think I expected more of an equal divide than this truth be told. What's your go to? I'm definitely a jam first gal.

Scone Recipe

Not one to gatekeep deliciousness, I wanted to share my own scone recipe here, for you to try at home - maybe it could be one of your summer activities with the littles, or you can bake them for an afternoon in with the girls and a glass of prosecco, or nosecco, if you're tee-total like me! 

Ingredients

• 350g gluten free self-raising flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 tsp Xantham gum
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 85g butter, cut into cubes
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• 75ml milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• squeeze lemon juice (see tips below)
• beaten egg,
• to glaze jam and clotted cream, to serve

Method 

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
• Add the self-raising flour and xantham gum into a bowl with ¼ tsp salt and the baking powder, and mix.
• Add the butter, then rub in with your fingers until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
• Add the caster sugar.
• Put the milk into a jug and microwave for about 30 secs until warm, but not hot.
• Add vanilla extract and a squeeze of lemon juice, then set aside for a moment. 
• Put a baking tray in the oven. Make a well in the dry mix, add the wet mixture to it and mix together, it will feel very wet to begin with. 
• Dust some flour onto your work surface and tip the dough out. Dredge the dough and your hands with a little more flour, then fold the dough over 2-3 times until it’s a little smoother. Pat into a round about 4cm deep. Take a 5cm cutter (smooth-edged cutters tend to cut more cleanly, giving a better rise) and dip it into some flour. Plunge into the dough, then repeat until you have four scones. 
• Brush the tops with a beaten egg, then carefully arrange on the hot baking tray.
• Bake for 10 mins until risen and golden on the top.
• Eat just warm or cold on the day of baking, generously topped with jam and clotted cream. If freezing, freeze once cool. Defrost, then put in a low oven (about 160C/140C fan/gas 3) for a few minutes to refresh 

For more information about our afternoon tea or to book your spaces, visit https://sarahschocolatekitchen.com/pages/afternoon-tea