5 BEST FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA RECIPES

Waitrose Weekend columnist Martha Collison has created a festive afternoon tea menu full of spices, marzipan and Christmas flavours. You can easily make most of it in advance, and all that’s left to do when your guests arrive is to put the kettle on. We’ve carefully selected tea, coffee and bubbly to match, plus curated the best John Lewis products to display your bakes and dress your table.

1

PORK AND CRANBERRY SAUSAGE ROLLS

Golden, flaky pastry wrapped around pork, sage and onion: so far, so classic. But the inclusion of tangy cranberry sauce gives the traditional savoury bite a twist. To make it vegetarian, swap the sausagemeat for a vegetarian stuffing mix.

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2

SPICED SCONES WITH MULLED WINE JAM

As any true afternoon tea aficionado knows, scones are the main event. Serve these crumbly, spiced versions, ever-so-slightly warm, alongside sticky mulled wine jam and a dollop of clotted cream – or rich brandy butter, if you’re in the mood to be truly decadent.

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2

SPICED SCONES WITH MULLED WINE JAM

As any true afternoon tea aficionado knows, scones are the main event. Serve these crumbly, spiced versions, ever-so-slightly warm, alongside sticky mulled wine jam and a dollop of clotted cream – or rich brandy butter, if you’re in the mood to be truly decadent.

Get the recipe

3

PISTACHIO, CHERRY AND CHOCOLATE CHOUX BUNS

The heady combination of light choux pastry, fluffy whipped cream and melt-in-the-mouth chocolate is shot through with sharp, vivid cherries. Finely chopped pistachios and a craquelin topping add texture.

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4

TURKISH DELIGHT CUPCAKES

Delicate, floral cupcakes are topped with cubes of wonderfully evocative Turkish Delight, lightly dusted with icing sugar. Imagine you’re in snow-covered Narnia and feasting on the deliciously sticky stuff.

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4

TURKISH DELIGHT CUPCAKES

Delicate, floral cupcakes are topped with cubes of wonderfully evocative Turkish Delight, lightly dusted with icing sugar. Imagine you’re in snow-covered Narnia and feasting on the deliciously sticky stuff.

Get the recipe

5

STOLLEN SQUARES

For all the flavour of stollen without yeast (or the extra time in the kitchen), this is the recipe to use. Jewelled dried fruits and golden marzipan make a delectable offering.

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what to drink

WAITROSE ASSAM LOOSE LEAF TEA

Strong and malty, Assam goes particularly well with Martha’s choux buns. Steep in the teapot for two minutes, pour and add a splash of milk

Put the kettle on

DUCHY ORGANIC CAMOMILE TEA BAGS

Camomile’s floral, apple-like flavour makes it an ideal pairing for scones. Plus, it’s naturally caffeine free

Put the kettle on

NO. 1 BRAZIL ASSODANTAS GROUND COFFEE

In the spirit of ‘kaffee und kuchen’ (or coffee and cake), we recommend sipping this medium-dark roast with stollen. Nutty, with notes of cocoa and fruity undertones

Put the kettle on

LECKFORD ESTATE BRUT

From our own vineyard in Hampshire, this refreshing bubbly features hazelnut and brioche on the palate, and has a lovely long finish

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POMMERY ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE

Based on Chardonnay, this sparkling rosé features Pinot Noir from a renowned Champagne village, and complements the cherries and raisins in Martha’s bakes

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