Tea With Bea

Tea With Bea is one of the books that I’ve added to my tea library lately.  This is a lovely baking book by pastry chef Bea Vo, owner of Bea's of Bloomsbury in the heart of London, which opened in 2008. 

The recipe chapters for cookies & bars, scones & small treats, tarts, cake bases & fillings, special cakes, and cheesecakes are full of wonderful teatime treats.

If you’d like a recipe for “the ultimate afternoon tea scone”, it’s in the book.  Bea says that her method, using only the coldest butter, should produce a high rise and flaky result.

 

American-style orange cranberry scones are included.

There are recipes for Almond Cherry Muffins, as well as Blueberry Streusel, and Doughnut muffins.  I was thrilled to see Foolproof Vanilla Macarons for the more adventurous baker.  Did I mention that Ms. Vo studied at Le Cordon Bleu. 

The tarts section has recipes for pate brisee and pate sablee dough and a recipe for Key Lime Pie that my hubby would love.  The many luscious cake recipes include Red Velvet, Espresso Bourbon, Chocolate Buttermilk, and Almond Tea Cake.  I love the Leftovers Trifle recipe to use up any extra cake from a cake-baking frenzy.

 Doesn’t this Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake look perfect for Thanksgiving dinner?  Maybe I’ll make this the first “family special occasion” recipe I try.

This could be the perfect gift for any bakers or tea enthusiasts on your Christmas list.