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Afternoon Tea with Scones and Clotted Cream

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | April 23, 2021 26 Comments

I was lucky enough to enjoy Afternoon Tea at Kensington Palace on several occasions during the 1990s. My friend Harold was butler to Princess Margaret, and whenever Fox and I were in London, he never failed to invite us to tea at his fabulous flat (next door to Charles and Diana’s). It was Harold who inspired me to host teas in my own home, which I do as often as possible to this day.

Honestly, when life is spinning out of control, teatime can bring the whirl to a relaxing halt. The ritual of making tea the old-fashioned way (from loose leaves) always forces me to slow down and catch my breath. Even the floral pattern of my Royal Albert blue and white teapot is a source of calm. I purchased the pot, along with matching cups, saucers, small plates, and a three-tiered stand called an étagère ages ago in London. Eating and drinking from this set works almost like Xanax. I especially enjoy sharing the experience with friends.

It’s easy enough to host Afternoon Tea. All you need is a pot of fragrant tea and some slices of delicious cake. Or perhaps you’d prefer freshly-baked scones that are topped with homemade clotted cream. These last two items are very easy to make.

Can you get away for a moment? I’d love for you to join me for Afternoon Tea. First, of course, we must make the aforementioned scones and clotted cream! Afterwards we can enjoy the fruits of our labor in the ancient music room here at Clover Hill.

Need printable recipes for scones and clotted cream? Your wish is my command:

English Cream Scones (click here for the printable recipe).

Clotted (“Devonshire”) Cream (click here for the printable recipe).

Thanks so much for spending time with me today. I hope you enjoyed this Afternoon Tea as much as I enjoyed your company!

xKevin

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Patio Pergola Project, Part One
Patio Pergola Project, Part Two

Comments

  1. 1

    mlaiuppa says

    April 24, 2021 at 1:58 pm

    I love tea and scones. I’ve tried home made scones a few times and have resorted to a mix. There are several but I found a brand I like that is easy. The cream is more difficult. I can get a jar at World Market but I have been looking at making my own. As you say, it isn’t that difficult but it doesn’t keep for very long. Still, I do love it. Such an indulgence. I don’t have anyone to invite over for tea so I would be bingeing on it myself. Decadent. I do make my own jams and marmalades. I haven’t done curds yet but I just planted a lime and have two lemon trees so that isn’t far away. I just bought some Biltmore patterned tea things and will be using them soon. I have quite the collection of tea pots and do need to start downsizing that collection, among other things.

  2. 2

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    April 24, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    Hi mlaiuppa – You might like to do what I’ve been doing during the pandemic, and treat yourself to Afternoon Tea! Your Biltmore-patterned tea accoutrement sounds divine. Hugs, KLJ

  3. 3

    Carol Tracy says

    April 25, 2021 at 8:57 am

    Good morning Kevin, these look lovely but when I went to print it says there’s a database connection error. I don’t know if it’s my problem here or there. If we hear more people mention it, then we’ll know.

  4. 4

    Kate says

    April 25, 2021 at 9:52 am

    I loved the session on afternoon tea. I would love to hear about the difference between high tea, afternoon tea, and meat tea. The purpose of each of them, when you would use each, and what types of goodies would be included in each. Keep up the good work Kevin!!

  5. 5

    June says

    April 25, 2021 at 10:04 am

    How veddy British we are today! Thanks for sharing your adventure at Kensington Palace. You know the right people! If you get over here to Olde Blighty again, we’ll take you for a lovely, simple tea at Simon the Pieman in Rye. One joy of this American in England is having had wonderful afternoon teas all over the country. We’ll try your scone recipe.

  6. 6

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    April 25, 2021 at 10:31 am

    Hi Carol – I tested the two recipe links just now, and both worked for me. Perhaps there was a temporary glitch with my server. Please try again, and let me know if you have success.

    Hi Kate – Thanks for the excellent ideas for future tea videos/posts. Meantime I can tell you that High Tea is a full meal. Afternoon Tea is light refreshments. Thanks for watching the video!

    Hi June – How lucky you are! And yes, I would love to enjoy tea with you at Simon the Pieman!

  7. 7

    Elaine says

    April 25, 2021 at 11:02 am

    Blue Moon… perhaps?
    I so want that china!
    I love teas, too. Used to own/operate a coffee & tea shop. I have way too many tea pots and enjoy them all. Thank you for the clotted creme recipe! Off to whip up some blueberry scones ~ or perhaps cranberry orange.

  8. 8

    patti says

    April 25, 2021 at 11:15 am

    thank you

  9. 9

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    April 25, 2021 at 11:28 am

    Hi Elaine – Tea set is Royal Albert “Moonlight Rose.” For me, the pattern is intoxicating!

  10. 10

    Elaine says

    April 25, 2021 at 11:37 am

    Thanks Kevin, I don’t know where Blue Moon came from. Obviously not enough coffee. ♡
    E

  11. 11

    Esperanza says

    April 25, 2021 at 12:11 pm

    Enjoyed our virtual tea! I loved your story of Kensington Palace and having Tea with a dear friend. Thank you for sharing. See you next Sunday

  12. 12

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    April 25, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    Hi Esperanza – Thank you for watching the video!

  13. 13

    Jersey Shore Amy says

    April 25, 2021 at 1:30 pm

    Oh lovely! Will splurge on these for myself!
    A couple of weeks ago for a “2 Truths and a Lie” game I counted all my teapots – 11!! I had no idea I had so many – and all but 3 have been used. LOL
    Pergola will be wonderful bit of shade this summer, wish I had one. And watch out for planting something that attracts a lot of bees and/or wasps.

  14. 14

    Susan says

    April 25, 2021 at 1:40 pm

    Oh my goodness, Kevin. Those look so luscious. Mmm mmm mmmm Thank you so much. I will have to give the scones and the clotted cream a try. Love the china, too. Sooooo pretty. I just LOVE when I see your post has arrived. Sincerely, Susan

  15. 15

    Judy says

    April 25, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    I rarely post comments but this post was worth it. I’m pining for England. Thank you, Kevin!

  16. 16

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    April 25, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    Hi Jersey Shore Amy – That’s what I did: splurge on scones and clotted cream! Love that you have 11 tea pots.

    Hi Susan – Thank you so much!

    Hi Judy – I’m glad you commented. You’re not the only one who is pining for England!

  17. 17

    Jean Sharac says

    April 25, 2021 at 6:31 pm

    Hi, Kevin, I loved the video showing how to make all the fixings for a proper English Tea. Thank you also, for always taking the extra time to teach and refine some cooking or baking technique, like the rolling of dough from the center and out to an inch from the edge, and then give the dough lump a turn,…… (never actually heard that said so clearly),and to share alternative ideas, uses and accompaniments while making the recipe. So many times, when i read a recipe, I wonder to myself, “Could this be made ahead to a particular point?” Or, “what else could I use instead of…..” You have the knack of instructional video making! Inspires one to reach out and try something new!! No questions left unanswered.! Jean

  18. 18

    Linda A says

    April 25, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    Hi Kevin, Well, you sent me on a search for how to pronounce “scone” and I learned it’s a long “O” in the USA (what I’m used to) and an “aw” sound in the UK. Who knew what all I might learn from you! (My American son lives in the UK now. I wonder how long before he’ll be speaking like the Brits – love, what to me, is their accent.)
    Have to say I got all excited when you said you were serving in the “music room.” I thought you might play your piano. Why don’t you more often? Wish you would.
    The recipe looks wonderful but I can’t tolerate dairy so will have to skip it.
    Liked the gadget for cutting them out – do you have a link?
    I do have lots of teapots – 2 antique sterling, one from Indonesia, an antique from China, another from Japan, two sweet Japanese miniatures in clay and one small one in sterling (which I think may be meant for expresso), and a lovely Royal Albert gift from my son & daughter-in-law the same size as yours in the Rose Confetti pattern. I think that’s it but who knows how many more I’ll add. ha!)
    Now play us a piece on that grand piano, please?

  19. 19

    Sunni says

    April 25, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    It’s a beautiful tea set Kevin. Yes, we all need time to regroup around a cup of tea and scones. I’d love to join you in the music room. Will you be in the mood to tickle the ivories? Hope so! Thanks for the invitation; it made my day.

  20. 20

    Kate Ferris says

    April 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    Wonderful! I will give this a try. I’m giving a wild guess here that the ‘smoky’ tea you had was perhaps lapsang souchong? We love it. We’d love to get back to the UK, too! Until we can, our friends over there and we have a ritual: Earl Grey Fridays. On Friday, we all drink Earl Grey – together, but apart! ♥

  21. 21

    Sandra says

    April 25, 2021 at 7:02 pm

    Hi Kevin
    I love ALL your videos . You’re just such fun and oh so talented. Please keep them coming.
    I do want to try to make the clotted cream I have never had that. So I will need to make the scones too.
    Thanks for the inspiration !

  22. 22

    Chrissie D. says

    April 26, 2021 at 12:31 am

    Hi Kevin. Thank you so much for depicting this recipe as well as having tea in the music room. I and a friend of mine were surprised to a real English afternoon tea on Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia that’s is now permanently berthed in Scotland. No, Her Majesty and none of the Royal family were there. But the affair was lovely. They served scones with the jam and clotted cream!!! And I too would like to hear you play the piano. Yes, more afternoon teas please!!! Maybe a Zoom Afternoon Tea with some of your fans?

  23. 23

    Conchy says

    April 26, 2021 at 3:04 am

    Lovely!!

  24. 24

    Laura says

    April 26, 2021 at 7:46 pm

    Kind of a strange question, Kevin, but could the clotted cream be made in a Crock Pot set on its low setting? Regardless, I want to make these scones. Yummy!

  25. 25

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    April 27, 2021 at 8:31 am

    Hi Jean Sharac – I’m so glad you find the videos helpful. More Afternoon Tea vids coming soon!

    Hi Linda and Sunni – I have played piano in several videos. Will play again, I promise.

    Hi Kate — Yes, the smoky tea that Harold served was Lapsang Souchong. I love that you have Earl Grey Fridays with your friends in the UK!

    Hi Sandra – Thank you so much for watching the videos!

    Hi Chrissie D – Zoom Afternoon Tea — what a great idea!

    Hi Conchy – Thank you.

    Hi Laura – I’ll bet that clotted cream could indeed be made in a crockpot. Alternatively, jarred clotted cream imported from England is quite good. It’s available at better supermarkets.

  26. 26

    Debra Elliott says

    May 7, 2021 at 8:08 pm

    Hi Kevin, I had forgotten about my set of Royal Albert china. It’s exactly like yours and I can’t wait to get it out and have an afternoon tea party. I have the teapot, dishes, cups, saucers etc. It became too fancy at some point, but too beautiful to depart with. So glad I saved it, and so glad you posted. Life it too short anymore and nothing is too fancy if you love it:) Thanks for the reminder.
    DebE

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