Last June, in Alice in Wonderland, Unbirthday Party Reveal, I provided an overview of the mad event, with glimpses of decorations, tables, favors, and games. Also included was the iced tea party menu, but without much in the way of descriptions and pictures.
Since then, I’ve received many inquiries asking for more details and photos of the beverages and food, recipes, and how I pulled off such an ambitious tea party menu.
In the meantime, I have shared other particulars and tutorials from the My Favorite Things Party. It was the fourth time for the annual event; each with a different theme.
You may have viewed several of these DIY posts as part of the monthly Pinterest Challenge; a blog hop hosted by Erlene of My Pinterventures. As always, bee sure to check out all the Pinterest-inspired projects at the end.
Today, I’m going to outline the second course of the tea party menu, which includes finger foods and a fabulous sandwich cake.
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As spring approaches, so does interest in hosting tea parties for baby and bridal showers, birthdays, book clubs, fundraisers, or just a small gathering of friends. I’m hoping this tea party menu will provide some ideas and inspiration for your own affair.
Let Them Eat a Sandwich Cake
A pin from Brit + Company is what sent me down the rabbit hole to find out how to make and decorate a sandwich cake.
“11 Sandwich Cake Recipes That Will Be the Talk of ALL Your Parties” was authored by Paige Johnson in April 2016.
She explained, “Enter the Swedish-born invention that is the sandwich cake. The “cake” layers are made up of various breads, with fillings of vegetables, meat or seafood and savory cream cheese “icing” between each layer.”
Number nine was called a Smorgastarta, by Ms. Critique. Unfortunately the link is a dead end, as the website no longer exists. I reviewed all 11 sandwich cakes in the post with interest. In the end, I borrowed from several in creating my own.
Two important factors taken into consideration were; flavor combination and balance with the tea party menu, and how elaborate and work-intensive the cake would be. Remember, there were all the other demands of hosting the party to contend with too.
Smorgastarta the Easy Way
You might notice that the menu lists six finger sandwiches, but no cake. I did that on purpose, just in case I ran out of time to prepare the tasty showpiece. On the afternoon before the party, the sandwich cake was the very last item made for the tea party menu.
I began with a large, store-bought, round loaf of bread. Using a sharp serrated knife, the crust was trimmed off the top and sides. I also did a bit of carving the loaf to give it a more cake-like shape. Next, I cut the bread horizontally in three equal slices.
When researching and planning the tea party menu, I narrowed the list to six, varied finger sandwich fillings. I wanted a mix of foods, and to account for guest likes and allergies.
For the sandwich cake, I needed two filling flavors that would work well together. So, I went with tea party classics — egg salad and smoked salmon. Those fillings also allowed me to take some time-saving shortcuts.
Layer One
First, I bought the egg salad filling from the deli counter of my local market, rather than making it from scratch. Before spreading the filling thickly on the bottom bread layer, I added bit of dill from the herb garden.
When making a sandwich cake, numerous authors suggested including some crunch in each layer. So, I added sliced radishes and a bit of watercress before placing the second bread slice on top.
Layer Two
For the second filling, I spread a thick layer of cream cheese on the bread slice and simply topped it with thin pieces of smoked salmon and sliced cucumbers.
Ice & Decorate Cake 
To ice the cake I used two containers of pre-whipped cream cheese; spreading them all around the sides, and more thickly on top.
Fresh, chopped parsley (be sure it is totally dry) was dabbed and lightly-pressed around the sides of the iced bread. Afterwards, I placed the cake in a covered container, and into the refrigerator overnight.
Originally, I had more grandiose visions of sculptured vegetables decorating the top of the sandwich cake. Instead, I settled for sliced radishes. Three carved radishes were suppose to look like the Queen of Hearts’ roses. What do you think?
Serving Considerations
To tie into my Wonderland theme, I used a white rabbit cake plate (Pottery Barn) to display the sandwich cake on the buffet. It’s the same one used in Beatrix Potter Easter Hunt.
A gold charger was placed underneath to hold a cake lifter and serrated knife. I also removed one slice of the sandwich cake and put it to the side on a clock face plate (Marshall’s, TJ Maxx).
Sistah B stepped in when she realized it took two hands to slice the sandwich cake and another to hold a plate. Plus, I don’t think any of the ladies wanted to “damage” the pretty display, or lose their hats into the tea party buffet!
How to Make Whimsical Teacup Fascinators, like the gals are wearing, is a tutorial from June’s Pinterest Challenge.
At Your Fingertips
In addition to the sandwich cake, there were five other finger sandwiches. Links to the recipes — when available — are in bold green text.
There wasn’t enough time to cut and dye bread into pretty shapes and colors. I had purchased heart and butterfly shaped cookie cutters, but they’d waste too much of the bread and filling, while being labor-intensive. Time I just didn’t have — even with my two hard-working assistants!
Queen of Hearts, Theme and D%&n Near Everything sporting the apron gift from R for my Unbirthday. She so gets me, LOL!
Instead, I varied the type of bread used. Additionally, my sister and BFF helped me to cut the sandwiches into simple geometric shapes; circles, squares, rectangles and triangles.
Preparation Tip: After all the fillings are made for a tea party menu, remove the crusts from the bread slices. Next, use a rolling pin to slightly flatten the bread — don’t go overboard or you won’t be able to spread the filling. Prepare whole sandwiches, then cut into geometric shapes.
Because I served the tea party menu as a full lunch with three-courses, I struggled with how much food to make. In the end, we made enough for guests to have one of each single-serving variety of finger sandwiches, and two of the savories. I also figured about half of the ladies would have a slice of cake (8 total).
Although we had leftovers, the amount wasn’t excessive and I was pleased.
1. Ham & Apricot
Pictured below are Sliced Ham and Apricot Preserve finger sandwiches on marble pumpernickel. A nice combination of flavors and simple to make. All you need is ham, bread and a jar of apricot preserves — and your best friend to assemble them while you make a sandwich cake!
2. Shrimp, Coconut & Ginger
On the tiered-server are my personal favorite, Shrimp, Coconut and Ginger tea sandwiches. Sistah B made the filling and spread it on wheat bread, cut in triangles. Delicious and the crowd favorite too!
On either side of the DIY Vintage China Tier Server Stand (July Pinterest Challenge), are one of two savories served.
3. Cucumber & Salmon
Because not everyone ate the sandwich cake, we also prepared two fillings as separate finger foods. Smoke Salmon and Cucumber is a classic served on a tea party menu; whether as a sandwich spread or savory finger food.
Simply peel and slice seedless or English cucumbers. Place a piece of smoked Scottish salmon between two slices and sprinkled with dill.
Each cucumber “sandwich” was served in a mini wavy square plate (Dollar Tree). We stacked them on white tree stump cake plates seen in Apres-Ski Lodge Buffet.
#4 & 5 Store-Bought Spreads
Lemon, Chicken and Almond tea sandwiches were displayed on the second vintage tier server I made for the occasion.
My local market makes the delicious sandwich spread, so I simply ordered it ahead of time, along with the egg salad. Hubby saved me additional time doing pickup duty, while we girls worked in the kitchen preparing the tea party menu.
Chicken filling was spread on a slice of wheat bread, and then topped with another slice of white. We alternated which bread side was up on the server for a checkerboard pattern.
Extra egg salad from the sandwich cake, was spread on dark rye for individual finger sandwiches. Each was topped with watercress and a thin slide of radish for a nice crunch. A great combination of flavors!
Cherry Roll-Ups
Rolled tart Sour Cherry and Pecan filling added more variety in flavors and visual interest on the tea party menu.
The Wine Lover’s Kitchen recipe was also found while browsing on Pinterest. Easy-to-follow instructions are included on how to use white bread to create the rolls.
Cabbage leaf placemats were scattered around the dining room buffet table. Here a dipped paint brush — from painting the white roses red — accessorize the Wonderland food display.
Which tea sandwich would you like best?
Pea Salad Cups
Another tasty savory found on Pinterest were English Pea Salad in Phyllo Cups from Tea Time Magazine.
Sistah B made the filling the day before the event. Prior to the Unbirthday Party, she popped the frozen phyllo cups into the oven, let them cool, and then filled them with the pea salad. We served them on a pretty cabbage leaf platter (William Sonoma).
Best Tips for Tea Party Menu
#1 Fabulous Kitchen Helpers
Of course, I couldn’t have carried off the ambitions menu without my left and right hand gals. Hugs to both!
#2 Damp Paper Towels & Butter Spread
What?! Yep, those are the keys to make tea sandwiches a day ahead.
Originally, I thought I’d have to order and pay for tea sandwiches from a caterer — so that the bread wouldn’t be either stale or soggy. But, for my Sunday event, I realized the caterer was going to have to make the sandwiches the day before — just as I would.
Fortunately, I came across some excellent tips online.
Sistah and I made all the fillings Saturday morning. After BFF arrived in the afternoon, we assembled the sandwiches. To prevent them from getting soggy overnight, we spread a thin layer of butter on each bread slice. Next, we added the filling on top of the butter spread, and placed the buttered side of the top slice over it.
To keep the bread fresh and from drying out, we simply wrapped the sandwiches in slightly damp paper towels, before placing in sealed containers to refrigerate overnight.
Worked like a charm!
Stay Tuned for Part 2
Unfortunately, I’m not going to bee able to cover the entire, three-course tea party menu in one post. See part 2; Wonderland Tea Party Menu: Scones & Desserts.
Have you ever hosted a tea party? If so, any tips to share?
Now let’s see what other things Pinterest inspired! Visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!
Erlene – My Pinterventures • Jenny – Cookies Coffee and Crafts
Debbee – Debbee’s Buzz • Bri – Halfpint Design • Julie – Sum of their Stories
T’onna – Sew Crafty Crochet • Beverly – Across the Boulevard • Debra – Shoppe No. 5
Roseann – This Autoimmune Life • Cherryl – Farm Girl Reformed
Leslie – Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After • Kelley – Simply Inspired Meals
Lydia – Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen •Joanne – Our Unschooling Journey
Kristie – Teadoddles • Gail – Purple Hues and Me • Ashley – Emory Farm
Kristie – Love My Little Cottage • Crissy – First Day of Home
Habiba – Craftify My Love • Marie – The Inspiration Vault • Emily – Domestic Deadline
Lauren – Mom Home Guide • Maria – Simple Nature Decor
Alexandra – Eye Love Knots • Lynne – My Family Thyme
Marci – Stone Cottage Adventures
Susan – SuzerSpace • Kim – Kimspired DIY • Pili – My Sweet Things
Kelli – K’s Olympic Nest • Erin – The DIY Nuts • Shirley – Intelligent Domestications
Pinterest Inspired Projects
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
The sandwiches are so cute. Great tip for keeping them fresh overnight. Your parties are outstanding!
Thanks Jenny, I had wanted to host a tea party for years and went a little overboard when I finally did! Mad as a Hatter I think is the expression LOL?
All the food looks delicious but that sandwich cake takes the cake for sure! Such a creative idea. Pinned.
It was definitely a highlight of the buffet table — and was easier to assemble than I thought. Would have taken a lot more time making the egg salad filling from scratch or if I decorated it more elaborately.
Your tea party looks amazing! All the food looks fantastic, and I am sure your guests really enjoyed your get-together!
Thank you Lauren, couldn’t have pulled it off without my sister and college roomie coming in town the day before to help.
Debbee you are amazing and your friends are lucky ladies to be able to take part in your creative dining parties! That cake is so interesting- I would never have imagined to make a sandwich cake! Everything on your table was a creative delicious looking!
Aww Liz, you always say the nicest things — thanks! Once I found out sandwich cakes were a thing, I had to have one for the party. Sometime, I may just make one, over-the-top with three layers and more intricately decorated for a smaller tea party gathering. And, then just serve a few cookies and pastries for dessert.
These ideas are so brilliantly carried out, Debbee! Thanks for all the tricks and tips. I’m pinning this and it’s like its own board! Those little DT wavy squares for the cucumber sandwiches are one of my favorite finds here, but all the serving pieces are just fantastic.
I actually missed one important tip that goes with using paper towels to keep fresh overnight — spread the inside of the breads with a little butter, before adding the fillings. Have to update the post! Yep, I love all the little individual serving items they have at Dollar Tree. I’ve used several for all four theme parties. You know I am a dish addict, but sometimes plastic and paper are the way to go!
Debbie, Your presentation for The Alice in Wonderland Party was beautiful. The work it took surely showed. Still love the peacock setting and the little black scottie. Love your postings.
Thanks Lilly, it’s lovely to hear from you again! Hope you find much more to like this year.
The sandwich cake is going to be pinned here in a minute-But those DISHES tho!!! The clock, the bees, and the pink!!!!!!!!! It looks like Y’all have lots of fun on a regular basis.
Your plate addict radar must have spotted the plates on the buffet LOL? The clock and watch plates have been included . The bees were featured in, . The pink rabbits I’ll like include in an Easter table.
I have only one thing to say about this post. YUM!!! Well maybe two, you are too cute for words. Your smile shines all the way to the GA mountains, or there about.
Well, when you’re queen for the day, there’s lots to smile about LOL! Make sure you see the bee napkin rings you so generously gifted me in, .
Wow, what a fun party spread! That cake is brilliant! I love the theme and your attention to detail, Debbee!
Thank you Crissy, it was the best Unbirthday Party I could have hoped for.
I’ve never heard of a sandwich cake – looks delicious! What a wonderful party you put together!
Thanks Roseann, it was tasty and filling, and easier than I thought to put together.
I had to do a double take on that cake! I am sure your guests loved everything. Looks like a very fun party!
Quite a few people at the party and on the blog hop thought it was a sweet, regular cake. It was really a thrill to be able to surprise and delight my friends and family.
This sandwich cake is so unique and fabulous, Debbee! What an amazing idea to create for your party! In fact, everything you created is stunning and amazing! You really know how to put a party together!
Wow, thanks Gail for such a generous compliment — much appreciated!
So many unique and inspirational food ideas!
Nice to hear from you Rhonda! I hope you’ll try out one or two for friends or family.
This is just splendid, Debbee! The sandwich cake is amazing. I’ve never seen one of those before. Great tips about hosting such a fun tea party!
Couldn’t have pulled it off without my sister’s (from your town, Charleston) help. She’s a dynamo in the kitchen.
So many yummies–anyone would be lucky to get invited to your fabulous parties! I’ve never heard of a sandwich cake–thanks for sharing the ingredients for it and all the other foods as well. I have many of your parties under my “Party Time” Pinterest board and your DIYs on other boards–you always come up with the very best ideas. Hugs!
Thanks Bobbi, wouldn’t it bee lovely if we all could party together! I’m flattered you’ve pinned so many recipes and DIY projects — hope you are able to put a few to good use.
Hey Deb. thanks for the mention of The Wine Lover’s Kitchen. I have a couple of Sandwich cakes that I absolutely love too if you are ever looking!
Carolyn, I’m so glad you noticed the pingback! Those roll-ups were as tasty to eat as they were pretty to look at. And, the instructions were easy and straightforward to follow. So glad I found you on Pinterest. I’ll definitely check back to see your sandwich cakes ideas.
This looks so fabulous! What fun you all must have had.
It was fabulous fun for sure! With the help I received, I was able to totally enjoy myself, even while hosting
I can tell you put a lot of thought into this menu and party. The cake sandwich is amazing and all of the finger sandwiches too. Great tip on spreading butter and using damp paper napkins to keep the sandwiches from drying out and getting soggy. Pinned.
Planning and preparations are all part of the fun for me — especially building around a party theme.
Umm…yes, I have hosted a tea party but mine was nothing compared to yours. The thought and craft that went into this is truly a work of art. Would love to be a guest to your unbirthday party.
Well thanks so much for such a generous compliment Kelli! It was a major milestone unbirthday and I really wanted to pull out all the stops. Couldn’t have pulled it off without the help of loved ones.
The sandwich cake looks amazing and so unique, I’ve never seen one. Thank you for all the tips on making one. This could be perfect for a Mother’s Day tea.
Kelley, what a good idea to make the sandwich cake for Mother’s Day! I’d probably do more with the decorations on top if I wasn’t making all those other sandwiches too.
Debbee, you have outdone yourself again. Those hats are ‘icing on the cake’. What fun times your group has. Maybe you need a custom catering business. Small but elegant parties!
That’s sweet Myrna, but at my age, a catering business would be far too much work and long hours. I barely keep up with my second ‘career’ blogging and making wreaths, etc. for the Etsy shop. The parties are labors of love.
Not a full blown catering business. How many people would love a small personalized party like you and your friends have ? You could be so specialized you have one every six months and charge fabulous money or sell one spot with your current friends ! Just kidding. We love your creativity.
Myrna, would be lovely to have you attend! You’re very kind. Maybe you should be my PR agent LOL?
Oh, wow! What a wonderful tea party! The sandwich cake is just ‘icing on the top’! ;-) -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thanks Marci — who knew you could ‘ice’ a cake with parsley and radishes lol!
What a fun party you must have had! It all looks amazing…especially that sandwich cake!
Thanks for stopping by Lynne. I love hosting theme parties! Over the course of the year I research, plan and craft to get ready. Everything from the invites to the favors. It’s a great creative outlet for me and opportunity to show my affection for friends and family.
I have made a Smorgastorta! I made a mini, serving for one, it was such fun! Your party is beyond incredible, I know people must still be talking about it!
Jenna, wasn’t it fun to make? I’m definitely making one again, maybe with more elaborate decoration. Maybe for a friend’s birthday luncheon or Mother’s Day?
I thoroughly enjoyed this post! So many great ideas and it’s obvious you all had a great time.
Thanks for stopping by Lydia. It took a fun year of menu planning — the hard part was getting down to 5 sandwich fillings/types with so many to choose from.
What a fun party idea! I can’t believe all the work you did.
Thanks Emily, I spent a year planning, crafting, and making. As far as the menu, it would have been impossible without my sister and BFF’s help in the kitchen.
Love it! Such great ideas and such fun!
Thanks for stopping by Gloria — so glad you were able to ‘join’ the party!
I love everything about this party. I must make a sandwich cake!
Oh do make one Laura, they are very straightforward to assemble and will wow your guests. If you’re interested in the other two courses and beverages, check out Wonderland Tea Party Menu: Scones & Desserts.
Such a lovely theme, and so beautifully done!
Welcome to the party Irene! So glad you enjoyed it.
This looks like you all had the most fun! I’ve never seen a sandwich cake like this before, very cool.
It was a fabulous weekend with my family and friends to celebrate my big-0 unbirthday. One of the things I love about Pinterest is all the fun things and ideas to be found there.
I have to say it over and over again: I so admire your eye for detail! When looking at those pictures of your buffet I almost start drooling and not only because of all those deliciuos goodies but also the fabulous decor you put together for your home and your guests. Again pinning this in the hopes to recreate something similar stunning for my guests. The prep sandwiches a day ahead tip is noted!
Well Habiba, I did spend a year planning, shopping and crafting around the Wonderland theme. I obsess over details — it’s a problem when you are the queen of theme LOL! Looking forward to seeing your upcoming tea party.
What a wonderful party theme. Love all of your charming details. The buffet looks fabulous. I want to be your guest. The black and white check is so sweet. Love the sandwich cake. Thanks Debbee for sharing at Love Your Creativity.
Linda, you’d be welcome to be my guest any ‘ol time! Too bad we live thousands of miles apart. You and are both partial to black and white. Discovered the sandwich cake idea on Pinterest — always fun exploring there!
I had never heard of a tea party sandwich CAKE before until now. How fabulous is this! That is happening next time I host a summer soiree. You are one of my features at the Snickerdoodle party this coming Saturday :)
I discovered the idea of a sandwich cake on Pinterest — my “drug” of choice lol! Next time I make one, I’m going to go all out on carved veggies etc. to decorate the top. Thanks so much for the feature Marie, and being a new hostess of the party.
Omgosh, how great is this! I love so many things about your tea party, I could go on & on & on…. I had never heard of a sandwich cake. Since I am a savory gal over sweets, this is totally up my alley. Thanks for the inspo. Pinning for sure, the dishes, the sandwich variety, the serving pieces… SO much eye candy. Have. great day. XO- MaryJo
Thanks ever so much MaryJo! Part of the fun of planning the party was researching English tea menus. I instantly fell in love with the sandwich cake! And, it turned out surprisingly easy to make. Each slice is pretty generous. It would be lovely to serve at a bridal or baby shower too. I know you aren’t a sweets person, but you may still enjoy the beverage section and serving dishes for Wonderland Tea Party Menu: Scones & Desserts. A nice thing about scones is that they aren’t overly sweet.
Scrumptious buffet. Caterer’s TIP—(I worked or a caterer in my HS days) Wrap your trays completely done with LARGE plastic wrap–not foil. Then rinse a clean kitchen towel completely with water. gently squeeze out –lay over trays, then wrap in FOIL. Everything will be FRESH when you you serve, even on the hottest day or long traveling.
Now that we can party—I just have to do this for some friends! Hugs, Sandi
Thanks for sharing the great tip Sandra! It’s similar to the one I found for keeping tea sandwiches fresh when made a day ahead. Only difference it so use paper instead of cloth towels.
What a wonderful tea party! So many delicious selections and all are beautifully presented. It looked like a very special time with your friends. I pinned your ideas to my “Tea Time” Pinterest board Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed the party Pat, and hop you find inspiration and ideas for your own future teas. Many of the menu items also work well for a Mother’s Day gathering.
My goodness Debbee, what a fun party. Thank you for sharing all of the tips and tricks. Who knew butter would keep the bread and filling over night? Yeah! Now we can all make them ahead of time. You amaze me with your parties and ideas. Thank you for sharing your ingenious with us once again!
It was soooo much fun! And the tip for the butter made the prep much less time-restrictive and stressful.