One of the hallmarks of a British Afternoon Tea is the inclusion of “finger sandwiches” - dainty, crustless sandwiches that can be easily consumed in a few bites without the need for cutlery. This is our recipe for three different versions of these classic Afternoon Tea finger sandwiches. For the best results, use our British breads - it makes all the difference.
Our Tips on Making the Perfect Afternoon Tea in the USA
Hosting an authentic afternoon tea in the USA has never been easier. Here are our tips on how to do it right:
Start with fresh clotted cream. This is non-negotiable. An authentic afternoon tea simply cannot be replicated without it, it is the cornerstone of a proper Afternoon Tea. Ours is the only fresh clotted cream available in the USA, thick, rich, and indulgent, it is worlds apart from whipping cream or any shelf-stable substitute - once you've tried the real thing, there's no going back.
Choose the right bread (and butter) for your finger sandwiches. The bread matters more than you think. A dainty afternoon tea sandwich stands or falls by its bread - and this is where many American attempts at afternoon tea quietly fall apart. Most widely available American sandwich breads are heavily processed, enriched with added sugars, and built for soft, squishy convenience rather than flavour or structure. That sweetness might work for a PB&J, but it clashes horribly with elegant fillings like smoked salmon, mature cheddar, or cucumber. Our British White Farmhouse Loaf and Traditional Wholemeal Loaf have the clean, neutral flavour that lets the fillings shine, with a tighter crumb and firmer structure that holds together beautifully once sliced and filled.
Always remove the crusts and cut each sandwich into shapes - presentation is everything at an afternoon tea
Serve your scones warm. Serving them straight from the oven makes all the difference, and the combination of a warm scone with cool, thick clotted cream is exactly what afternoon tea is all about.
Pair with your favourite jam. Jam is not the same thing as jelly! Jam is soft and spreadable with just the right size of fruit pieces inside. For an authentic British afternoon tea experience, a good strawberry or raspberry preserve is really the gold standard alongside your clotted cream and scones.
With the right ingredients - especially with the fresh clotted cream delivered to your door - hosting a proper afternoon tea at home in the USA is absolutely within reach.
What is a Finger Sandwich and which bread should I use for Afternoon Tea sandwiches?
A finger sandwich is an afternoon tea essential - a small, crustless sandwich cut into neat rectangular strips or dainty triangles, roughly one or two bites in size. Think of it as the refined, elegant opposite of an American deli sandwich. No towering fillings, no thick bread, no mess - just delicate, lightly filled pieces arranged neatly on a platter or tiered stand.
But here's something most people don't consider: the bread you choose for your British Afternoon Tea can make or break the whole experience. For an authentic result, try our White Farmhouse Loaf and Traditional Wholemeal Loaf.
Slice thickness matters just as much as the bread itself. Aim for around ½ inch (1.2cm) - thin enough to feel light and elegant, but sturdy enough to hold the filling without collapsing. Too thick and the sandwiches feel heavy and clumsy; too thin and they'll fall apart before they reach the plate.
Why Do British People Butter Their Sandwiches?
Buttering bread before adding fillings is one of those deeply ingrained British habits that often surprises Americans - but there's a very good reason for it. Butter acts as a protective barrier between the bread and any moist fillings, stopping the bread from going soggy and helping the sandwich hold together. This is especially important for afternoon tea sandwiches, where delicate fillings like smoked salmon or cucumber could otherwise make the bread fall apart before it even reaches the plate.
Good butter adds a richness and depth of flavour that quietly elevates every bite. A good quality European or Irish butter, which has a higher fat content than standard American butter, has a creamier, more luxurious taste that works beautifully with both savoury and delicate fillings. It also helps the two slices of bread gently bind together, keeping the sandwich neat and intact.
Skipping the butter in your afternoon tea sandwiches would be like skipping the clotted cream on your scone - technically possible, but somehow incorrect.
