Tea and Cake, Cake and Tea - Sharing our favourite pairings

Do you want just a dash? Or is it milkier the better? Are you ‘not for me, I'm sweet enough’ kind of person or do you need 3 spoonfuls before you will even consider a sip? Whatever your preference, we all have a preference for the nation’s favourite cup of tea.

This National Tea Day (21 April 2025) we are celebrating all things tea and cake including sharing our favourite pairings for our range of cakes, perfect for your mid-afternoon pick-me-up or weekend date with the girls.

Now a quintessential British pastime, Afternoon Tea became popular in the early 19th century when supper was fashionably late, served after 8pm, leaving a long gap between meals. To stave off the hunger pangs, the Duchess of Bedford, Anna Russell, requested tea, bread and cakes to be brought and so the Great British tradition began!

Fast forward to the present day and afternoon tea has become about bringing people together for tea, sandwiches, scones and, most importantly, cake. There is no wrong or right way, it's all about your own personal taste, but we have pulled together some enticing suggestions for you to try this National Tea Day so whether you like a classic combo or want to sample something a little more adventurous, take a read and you never know you might find your new usual.

It is a classic for a reason… you cannot go wrong with a Victoria Sponge and English Breakfast combination. The sponge, named after Queen Victoria who was partial to a slice of sponge with jam, is an important part of British baking culture and when you get the recipe just right, is a rich, light and highly-pleasing eat. Now pair this with your preference for English Breakfast and you will be sure to be on to a winner.

Earl Grey tea became popular in the late 19th century and though the connection between Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey and the bergamot infused black tea is not known, it has remained something of national favourite. Bergamot orange oil is what gives the tea its herbal and woodsy aroma and pairs well with a variety of notes from kitchen herbs to grounding spices. For this national tea day, we looked at the traditional serving of Earl Grey, a zesty pop of lemon to cut through and thought of our Berry Bliss Cake, bursting with cherries, strawberries and raspberries. The tart sweetness compliments and enhances the tea, perfect for any occasion.

Green Tea is often praised for its health benefits, rich in antioxidants and lower in caffeine, it has been said that it help with blood pressure, skin health and cognitive function. Described as fresh and earthy, a cup of Green Tea works wonderfully alongside food with more robust flavours. To pair rather than contrast, we opted for our Carrot Cake, which is packed full of cinnamon, nutmeg, sultanas and walnuts as well as fresh sweet carrot. The natural sweetness balances the almost grassy flavour of the tea and makes a wonderful flavour combination for any guest or gift.

Assam tea may be a lesser known tea but it is one which is much loved to its more full-bodied flavour. Often described as malty or oaky (and a desired flavour profile in Champagne!), Assam has higher tannin and caffeine content which works beautifully with soft milky flavours for balance. Our Chocolate Cake with chocolate sponge, filling and icing has a wonderful rounded sweetness which compliments the full-bodied tea and is perfect for those who like a little punch in their flavours.

Chai tea, or masala chai, is a spice-infused drink known for its medicinal properties. Over time, the spices of ginger, black pepper, cloves, cardamon and cinnamon have remained but the introduction of milk and sugar have made this a symbol of warmth. An interesting fact about chai tea is that Chai is the hindi word for tea so when you are saying Chai Tea, you are fundamentally saying ‘tea tea’. Now for this cosy combination of spices, an equally punchy flavour is needed in the cake so we have opted for a wild card, Coffee Cake. This rich, flavoursome sponge can stand up to the spice medley of Chai and adds a surprisingly cosy treat.

Why not celebrate National Tea Day from the comfort of your own home? Choose a selection of teas, add some options to customise your cuppa such as lemon, sugar cubes or a variety of milks and choose some pretty cups to enjoy.

Next, add in an array of cakes to tempt your guests; a great option would be to treat everyone to their favourite baby cake ensuring you are the host with the most. Make sure you are covered with enough plates and cake forks so everyone can enjoy the cake and tea combinations on offer. Always remember that the secret to a good afternoon tea is the sense of occasion which joins the event so arrange a well set tea tray and cake stand to make everyone feel welcome.

It may be that you are a little time poor ahead of your event so why not think about buying your cakes? Sponge has a wide range of cakes to suit every taste and with options such as baby cakes and sharing cakes, you will be sure to surprise and delight all your guests.