This menu is perfect for a shower or for just getting together to chat.

This menu is perfect for a shower or for just getting together to chat.

Your Menu: Serves 12

• Vegetable tray with dip

Raspberry Tartlets
Gingerbread Tea Cake

• Assorted teas

• Tea sandwiches

Test Kitchen Tips:

For easy tea sandwiches, cut crusts from desired bread slices. Cut bread slices into desired shapes (squares, triangles, and/or rectangles). Spread half of the slices with desired fillings that you can purchase from the deli, such as chicken, egg, or ham salad and top with remaining bread slices. For 12 sandwiches, you will need about 1 pint of filling.

For the perfect pot of tea, begin with fresh, cold water. In a teakettle, bring the water just to a boil. Pour some of the hot water into the teapot to warm it then discard the water. Add tea leaves directly to the pot or use a ball-shape infuser. A good rule is to use about 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of tea. Pour the hot water over the leaves and let steep about 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with honey, milk, and sugar, if you like.

Shopping List:

For Tartlets

• 1 pint desired deli filling for sandwiches
• 2 loaves desired bread
• 1 deli vegetable tray for 12 from deli
• Package or packages desired tea leaves
• 1 jar honey
• 1 quart milk
• 1 pound butter
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 orange
• 1 jar purchased lemon curd
• 1 pint fresh raspberries

For Cake

• 1 pound butter (also in above list)
• 1 dozen eggs (also in above list)
• 1 bottle mild-flavored molasses
• 1 package edible flowers

Pantry Items:

For Tartlets

• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• salt
• granulated sugar
• powdered suga
• shortening or nonstick cooking spray

For Cake

• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• ground ginger
• baking soda
• ground cinnamon
• salt
• ground cloves
• granulated sugar
• powdered sugar
• shortening or nonstick cooking spray

Equipment Needed:

For Tartlets

• cutting board and serrated knife for bread
• thin metal spatula or table knife
• tea pot or pots
• measuring cups and spoons
• microplane or fine shredder
• medium bowl
• wooden spoon
• large mixing bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatula
• plastic wrap
• 24 1 3/4-inch muffin cups
• pastry cloth or wooden board
• rolling pin
• 2 1/2-inch round cutter
• wire cooling rack
• teaspoon
• small sieve for sifting powdered sugar

For Cake

• measuring cups and spoons
• 13x9x2-inch baking pan
• medium bowl
• wooden spoon
• large mixing bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatula
• wooden toothpick
• wire cooling rack
• small sieve for sifting powdered sugar

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