Happy 2025 ! we ended 2024 with my Grinch themed Afternoon Tea. Whilst their are some around, wanted to create my own version. For me the most important thing with my Afternoon Tea project is to be immersive and visually creative. Be that with colourful backdrops and tableware or costumes.

They are like a theatre production, bit like panto though, crossed with Afternoon Tea and party vibes.

At the end of 2023 i got 4 Grinch themed Pyjama sets in the sale for £4 each. I had in mind we all wear them for possibly a Grinch themed Tea. I myself later found a Christmas Jumper so wore that. But both Mum and Dad wore the matching Pyjamas. I also wanted to get a Cindy Lou Who Wig, but saw they were pricey, just for a one off. I spotted a reasonable one on Temu, not sure on how it would arrive, but was great actually. Of course had to have a wear of it myself WHO wouldn’t.

Setting the scene

First things first get the Grinch tableware ! Mugs, and a Green Teapot. I couldn’t believe i got 4 mugs and couldn’t find them all in my shed ughh. Anyway a quick trip out, grabbed some alternative one for myself. I wanted to keep it xmasy too. So opted for Candycane stripe placemats and striped plates. With my table bar draped Grinch lights and in the background a Grinch on the table. Lats minute addition also was the inflatable Grinch from Home bargains for £24.99 worked great for the pictures. The backdrop of whoville also helped set the scene. Big shoutout to Home Bargains you had so much Grinch themed stuff to help bring the theme together. Including Games, The inflatable, The Jumper, Lights, Mugs and more.

Finding inspo on what to bake !

I firstly looked at Grinch themed party treats, a vast selection out there. I didn’t want to just make something Green and call it Grinch themed. I looked to the book and film, with my own interpretive. Their are many naturally Green foods like: Avocados, Cucumber, Pistachio, Lime, Spinach, etc to use.

I settled on a Grinch themed Eclair as green as it gets! with a Matcha Ganache and filled with Strawberry Mousse. I had a Pandan cake mix i have for quite some time, so made some whoopie pies, has a mild coconut like flavour. I made the mistake of just filling with Mallow fluff which leaks everywhere. Next time a Buttercream or cream filling instead.

Inspiration from the story, i took The roast Beast and made assorted Beef, Ham Sandwiches and WH0 Hash. This was a combination of Tater tots and corned beef. From the song “You`re a mean one Mr Grinch” i took the bad Banana with a greasy Black Peel, and made a Banana loaf cake which uses the whole Banana including the peel. I had made this twice before and added walnuts this time. I did not ice it but like a cream cheese frosting would go nicely, as has a carrot cake vibe.

The Grinch Heart grew 2 sizes that day line, i made some Heart shaped Scones and some Sugar Cookies Green, with a crushed candy heart centre in Cherry flavour. I also came up with a Cindy Lou Cotton Candy Blondie slice. As she is so sweet looking, was going to be that or Candycane.

The story also references a Who Pudding which looks like a Jello set dessert. I decided to make a Strawberry Blancmange ( like set Custard) in my Jelly moulds. This is from a pack but i opted to use Half Cream and half Milk to make it more luxury tasting. I didnt decorate it any further but could have added some decorative piped whipped cream Rosettes i suppose.

Their are a lot of different things you could make to fit the theme including Cake pops, Cakes, slices etc. I do have it in mind to do another one. Especially with cuddly as a Cactus or Greasy as an eel incorporated somewhere.

TEA

What Tea do you serve at a Grinch party? i could have gone with Green Tea the most obvious. I went with my usual English Breakfast, but also the Christmas Tea bag blend i had from Whittard/Twinings. Added that Festive taste.

How did it go?

The Eclairs i had the idea to make a Matcha Craqueline (Biscuit type topping) never made before, followed the recipe and did not work out. Perhaps it was too thick or maybe on the pan i use was not enough space to rise. I reverted to my other idea of a Matcha Ganache which worked fine. I would probably frost the Banana cakes, Avoid the mallow fluff filling and use a Buttercream, as they slid off.

The Cotton Candy Blondies were made with Cotton Candy Oreos baked inside, these were a limited run i got when on holiday in the states. A flavoured Spread and Cotton Candy flavoured drizzle on top. They were okay. The spread i got in Tkmaxx tasted awful! i used it baked in the Blondies anyway. But overall was just a sweet taste.

I will try to hunt down a Green Sugar/Milk Jug, was tempted to get Green Plates too but the White/Red stripe ones worked well as a contrast. I did also want a furry faux fur tablecloth, but they are pricey and more throws than cloth

I brought in advance a Grinch themed Cake stand and memo board for the Menu, put them under the xmas tree, and FORGOT TO USE THEM UGHH. Next time i`ll remember.

Watch this space for the Grinch Tea 2 in the future. I will recycle a lot of my teaware and props, find my 2 lost mugs and actually use the stands i got.

Thanks for reading.