British Tea Party: Part Three…the Food

In case you’re just joining us, it’s Tea Party Week here at my blog. You can click here & here to read Parts 1 & 2 of my recent British Tea Party. I’ve been trying my best to inspire some of you to put on a tea for your friends, and if you’ve not been convinced so far, maybe the food will speak to you. There really are so many options when it comes to food for a British Tea. I had asked my guests if they wouldn’t mind to each bring a plate or dish of something special & it all turned out to be YUM!If I had really been efficient, I would’ve asked them to bring copies of the recipes for the yummy stuff they brought & I could’ve shared it all with you, but I didn’t & so I can’t.However, I hounded my friend Jodi until she no longer wants to take my phone calls & got her recipe for Devonshire Cream that she brought with her. Is it odd that I can’t stop thinking of this stuff since I tasted it? Yes, you should be worried about me.Anyway, I’m sharing it because it’s just too good not to. Eat this with scones & your life will never be the same.

Devonshire Cream1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (can substitute 8 oz. cream cheese)2 Tbsp. confectioner’s sugar1/2 cup sour creamIn a chilled bowl, beat cream until medium stiff peaks form, adding sugar during the last few minutes of beating.(If you are using the cream cheese, just stir the sugar in) Fold in sour cream, & blend. This makes about 1 1/2 cups of yummy goodness.

I made a less-traditional treat of Union Jack Butter Cookies. They were super-easy, mainly because I skipped the baking & just used Pepperidge Farm’s Chessmen. (Shh–don’t tell.)I just mixed up some red & blue icing by adding a little food coloring to some good ol’ Betty Crocker, then decorated them like the Union Jack. It works like a dream because the frosting softens the cookie ever-so-slightly & makes them taste like they were freshly baked!{These would be ideal for Old Glory, too! Don’t forget Memorial Day is just around the corner!}And of course, it wouldn’t really be a Tea without tea. I served it up the traditional English way as described here. And as my mom says, you really need to drink it in a tea cup, because it’s just not the same in a mug.Hope you’re enjoying Tea Party week! Don’t forget to enter my giveaway to win a Party Favor Kit for your own tea party. I have one more post on the Tea Party coming up, so stay tuned for that.Linking up this post with some of these friends & Tidy Mom.