Vegan Afternoon Tea

Everyone will enjoy slightly different afternoon teas, and have their own recipes they like and refer to. An afternoon tea usually includes several different cakes and savoury treats, so there is never really just one set recipe for your afternoon tea. Today we’re going to look at two vegan afternoon tea recipes to enjoy a classic afternoon tea: a vegan lemon cake and vegan scones!

Ingredients needed to make Vegan Afternoon Tea

Vegan scones:

• 350g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 85g dairy-free spread, cold and cubed
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• 175ml dairy-free milk (such as almond or soy milk)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• Dairy-free milk, for brushing
• Jam and dairy-free cream, to serve

Lemon cake:

• 225g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 150g caster sugar
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 100ml vegetable oil
• 200ml dairy-free milk (such as almond or soy milk)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the drizzle:

• Juice of 2 lemons
• 85g icing sugar

Step by step instructions to make Vegan Afternoon Tea

Vegan scones:

1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan). 
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
4. Mix well to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. Add the cold dairy-free spread to the bowl and rub it into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
6. Stir in the caster sugar and make a well in the centre of the mixture.
7. Pour in the dairy-free milk and vanilla extract into the well. Stir everything together until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just bring the dough together firmly.
8. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it becomes smooth.
9. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 2cm (3/4 inch). Use a round cutter to cut out scone shapes. Place them onto the prepared baking tray, leaving a small gap between each scone.
10.  Brush the tops of the scones with a little dairy-free milk to help them achieve a golden colour when baked.
11.  Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the scones have risen and turned golden on top.
12.  Once baked, remove the scones from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
13.  Serve the vegan scones with your favourite dairy-free cream (such as Elmlea Plant) and jam.

Lemon cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
2. Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake tin with parchment paper.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, baking powder, caster sugar, and lemon zest. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, dairy-free milk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until you have a smooth batter without overmixing. 
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
8. While the cake is baking, prepare the lemon drizzle.
9. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and icing sugar until you have a smooth, runny consistency.
10.  Once the cake is out of the oven, leave it in the tin for a few minutes, then prick the surface all over with a skewer. Pour the lemon drizzle evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to soak in.
11.  Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before removing it.
12.  Once cooled, transfer the cake to a serving plate and garnish with extra lemon zest, if desired.
13.  Slice and serve!

A tasty Vegan Afternoon Tea

Depending on your taste preferences, you can create sweet or savoury delights for your vegan afternoon tea. Enjoy your vegan afternoon tea recipe with a traditional cup of tea, create some delicious savoury sandwiches and add in some fruit with your delicious afternoon tea cakes. 

Scones and lemon cakes are of course classics of afternoon tea, but there are still plenty of other recipes if you’d prefer something different. 

Just what you need

Make your vegan afternoon tea recipes for a birthday celebration, a baby shower, a surprise for friends, or just a simple treat on a sunny weekend afternoon. A vegan afternoon tea is truly a delicious treat and can make any day slightly classier and more delicious. 

Vegan Afternoon Tea in the New Forest

If you’d love to experience the simple pleasure of a delicious vegan afternoon tea, then join us in one of our restaurants across New Forest Collection. 

Indulge in a delightful afternoon tea experience at our exquisite Burley Restaurant for an afternoon tea held in the Conservatory or the beautiful Drawing Room. Alternatively, we offer afternoon tea in the sophisticated Bartley Lodge Restaurant. Or perhaps enjoy an afternoon tea 1820 in Forest Lodge, conveniently located close to the foodie town of Lyndhurst, or visit the charming Taylor’s in Beaulieu.

Our afternoon tea menus change seasonally, but rest assured, you will always have menus of incredible afternoon tea treats all year round. For a vegan afternoon tea with us at New Forest Collection, simply ask when booking.