afternoon tea
(noun)
A light midafternoon meal of tea and sandwiches or cakes; “an Englishman would interrupt a war to have his afternoon tea”#
I think afternoon tea is probably one of the most likeable meals (if you could call it that) of the day. It fills that expansive period between lunch and dinner. At my work the dedicated lunch time is 11:30 and due to my culinary ambition or laziness I usually eat dinner at about 8pm. This means there is eight and a half hours between meals. This is way too long for my liking. By about 5:30 my stomach has started consuming itself.
The great thing about afternoon tea is that it fits that gap perfectly with class and sophistication. It’s there when you need it most wearing a top hat and tails. No matter what it is on offer, it will be appreciated. A unique feature of afternoon tea is that it serves no nutritional value. It doesn’t have to be meat and three veg, you don’t have to add an obligatory side dish of rice or pasta. Afternoon tea just is….. goodness.
As a child we would always come home and raid the refrigerator. It was like Genghis Khan and his band of marauding hungry Mongols were descending. We would fight each other and nag our mother to get the best that was on offer. Some days Mum would pity on us and indulge our whims and cook up a little treat. She would often cook scones or pikelets. When something a little more refined was required this little cake would appear. It is light and simple and goes well with tea or a freshly brewed espresso.
Cinnamon Teacake |
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Ingredients |
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| 60g | Butter | |
| 1 | Egg | |
| ½ cup | Castor Sugar | |
| 1 tsp | Vanilla | |
| 1 cup | Self Raising Flour | |
| ⅓ cup | Milk | |
| 15 g | Butter | |
| 1 tbsp | Castor Sugar | |
| 1 tsp | Cinnamon | |
Method |
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Something so simple yet… sounds so good. Cinnamon is the best spice in my opinion, especially teamed up with something sweet.
Glad you’ve got your oven back!
It was fixed on Friday
This is one of my all time favourite cakes! The more cinnamon and butter on top the better!
mmm i love all things cinnamon this tea cake sounds perfect for the arvo snack
Yum! I love sweet plain cakes like this that you can add a dollop of jam and cream to
This is a perfect afternoon tea treat. I am not an English man but I love my afternoon tea break
Ahh I’m always starving by hometime too. I applaud your patience to cook a proper meal for dinner! It’s been ages since I’ve had tea cake. You’ve given me cravings!
hi mark
I love cinnamon in cakes perfect for tea time even for a french guy !! Pierre de Paris
I know this cake (if it’s the Women’s Weekly one)! I used to make it when I was at school – it’s so elegantly simple, and there’s nothing like teacake, warm from the oven…
I’m am actually having a piece of cake and tea as I type! This looks great, and I love your new logo too
Cake is always a good idea. Thanks, I accidentally created it when making a Photoshop template like Billy showed in the workshop.
I agree about afternoon tea. Possibly one of the most important meals of the day. Particularly if you have a lovely cinnamon tea cake like yours to consume! Well done
Not that I would ever say no to afternoon tea but I don’t often do it (for the calories you do understand). That’s why I like to eat dinner early. 6ish will do, 7ish if I’m wearing a tight dress and we’re going out or I will climb walls.
I love afternoon tea. In fact, after morning tea I think it’s my favourite meal of the day! Tea cake is one of my old favourites – so quick to whip up and lovely to eat warm. I generally make mine in a loaf tin, then I can slice it and drench the slice in even more butter. Fabulous!
Mmm I love cinnamon, this cake looks fantastic Mark!
This cake looks like a fine contender for my 3.30itis or even morning tea! Having three meals a day is never enough for me. I’d love this with a strong coffee!
I always get 3:30itis ehehe. This would be a great snack to cure my 3:30itis. ehehehe. So simple and looks delicious.
I love cinnamon so this would be the perfect snack for me mmmmm!
I can’t live without tea either, in fact, I’m having breakfast right now – coffee and leftover sultana and cinnamon scones from yesterday’s tea!! Scrummy! It makes perfect sense to stop a war for tea
I think I might make this simple but lovely tea cake this very afternoon!
Yay, it’s a sweet offering from Mark! My favourite meals are brunch and afternoon tea – as you can tell, I enjoy relaxed eating.
Absolutely perfect afternoon tea cake… I’ll probably have a few slices with one whole pot of tea in one sitting!
I love cinnamon cake – it is so light and, as you say, fills the gap perfectly
I love cinnamon! It’s such a versatile spice. And I’m the same as you – afternoon tea is my most likable meal
I concur. Afternoon tea is by far the best meal of the day. And cinnamon is so lovely with a nice cup of tea.
Ooh, I wish I could have access to something so light & airy for afternoon tea as opposed to the evil vending machine that calls to me when I get 3:30-itis!
ah yes, i also remember coming home from school and eating everything in site.
I do love a cinnamon tea cake, it’s so simple yet so delicious!
Cinnamon cake doesn’t sound as appealing as chocolate cake but it really is tasty! Not sure I could wait until 3.30pm to eat it though!