Last week i had my latest Afternoon Tea, A Biscuit themed one. Inspired by British Biscuits and beyond. Using them as ingredients in sweet dishes, whilst also doing a fun Biscuit taste test.

There are so many types of Biscuits around the world, variations on ones, flavours and textures. I focused on ones from here in the Uk. Even focusing on here still leaves me plenty of room for another or even a 3rd themed Biscuit Tea. The idea came to me suddenly and thought of course!

I have had some Biscuit novelty tins on my shelf for a number of years, decided to get rid of them, then later i had the idea, and thought oh crap i could have used them as props! I then brought some more and all is well again. Its strange sometimes when ideas come to you in different waves.

Now for the Tea i wanted a backdrop, but could not find any of Biscuits so i found one on Temu of a retro Kitchen. I figured since we have Biscuits in the kitchen and make our tea there, it made sense. For me the Backdrops just add to the fantasy you are trying to create and immerse yourself in. I have luckily sourced most for my long list of upcoming Teas.

Finding Biscuit themed Teaware was also tricky, but before Wilko closed i managed to get the Jammy Biscuit Mug which is perfect for this theme. I also got some Biscuit shaped coasters. The biscuit themed tins helped also with the theme on the table. I came across the Biscuit inspired Teas which started the theme off. The 1st one being from M&S Shortbread inspired.

Choosing which Biscuits to use was tricky and how to use them, their are so many. I decided to do a blind Biscuit taste test as well, so any Biscuits not represented would be included in the test. Last minute i also came up with a Biscuit anagram game which was fun. I also had to do some Biscuit Trivia and fun facts about the history of some of our favourite Biscuits

The Menu

  • Biscuit themed Teas
  • Scones as usual
  • Parmesan Shortbread or Sables really cheesey and Moorish
  • Custard Cream Blondies
  • Jammy Biscuit Truffles
  • Hobnob Tart
  • Baked Bourbon Cheesecake
  • Lotus Biscoff cake
  • Oreo Chouxnuts

When you come up with ideas for the Afternoon Teas, i always try to think of a balance of light and some richer dishes. Otherwise it just becomes difficult to try multiple items. Different textures and types of dessert is also in consideration, trying not to duplicate ingredients like Chocolate. Sometimes i do often do too much of a variety to try all at once! but that is me. We then spend the next week eating the multiple desserts and whatnot. I take some into my workplace and some goes in the freezer.

When you are coming up with your own or often taking inspiration from other ideas, it sometimes goes wrong. I learned from the past not to think too much of being a failure or disheartened by it. Sometimes we can learn from our mistakes and help us improve the next time. A lot of things have come good of food mistakes being made and ended up as well known dishes. I attempted for the 2nd time to make a cookie pie, 1st time was under filled 2nd time i followed the recipe to the tee but overfilled it. It did not hold together well, so did not include it in my Tea. I have since recycled it into cookie truffles and Nutella Biscuits so no waste their. 3rd time lucky hopefully as they say.

I would say i was happy with everything else mostly. A lot of the inspiration for the dishes does come from leftover stuff around the house, and has been a source of some of my well known treats. Like Cake Truffles and Biscuit Truffles. When something is a bit stale or dry crumble it or melt it and mix it with something else.

THOUGHTS?

As with every time i put a Tea together i have a rough vision for how the decor should look and feel. I was happy with the backdrop and props ( have more now so next time will be even better) The anagram game and Taste test was fun and learning some trivia about the Biscuits we enjoy.

I do not often bake baked Cheesecakes, but the Chocolate Bourbon one was sooo smooth and rich, despite the base getting soggy. The stand out was the Cheesecake and also The Lotus Biscoff Cake which looked great and grand.

The Hobnob Tart which was inspired by a dessert that was frozen back in the 2000s, i remember sneaking to the freezer and eating a bit then putting the rest back in the freezer. It was discontinued but from memory i made what i thought it was. A chocolate Ganache inside a Chocolate Hobnob tart shell and it was delicious and took me right back to that dish. ( mines better though obviously)

The Oreo chouxnuts or chouxbuns had a 2nd start as the 1st lot of Choux pastry did not go right, which happens sometimes, turned out like Yorkshires for some reason? Filled with a box mix from Spain by Royal, which is a milky like mousse on an Oreo crumb base. Got this years ago in Spain and it is not available here to buy. I spotted some on a bargain site and brought a ton of it. Tastes vaguely like the filling of an Oreo. So this filling topped with a Chocolate Ganache and Oreo crumbs was tasty.

The Custard Cream Blondies i think some extra Vanilla added, and also melt some of the filling and drizzle it over the top with the white chocolate drizzle. Same with the Jammy Biscuit Truffles, a little Jammy drizzle on top before the Biscuits go on.

I have already made a start on the sequel Tea and a rough list of ideas for more Biscuit inspired treats. More themed Biscuit tins arrived ready to pose with for the next time. The backdrop was slightly bigger than my usual ones so did overlap a bit, but provided that retro kitschy look i wanted.

Till the next Biscuit Break !

whats your favourite Biscuit? if you like this kind of blog posts, make sure to subscribe and get emailed when a new post is up, also follow me over on insta @adampastryguy for bakes, Bargains and more