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How to Throw a Tea Party for All the Moms in Your Life

Hallmark Gold Crown

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Anjelika Temple

As Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Brit + Co, Anjelika Temple brings her voracious consumption of all things creative and colorful to DIY projects, geeky gadgetry finds and more. When she's not DIY-ing her heart out, you'll find her throwing dinner parties with friends or adventuring with her husband David, their daughters Anokhi and Indira, and their silly dog Turkey.

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Apr 28, 2016

How to Throw a Tea Party for All the Moms in Your Life

We’re all about twists on traditions, and Mother’s Day festivities are no exception. This year, we’re going to class it up like the royals with a modern day tea party. Whether you’re putting this shindig together for just you and your mama or throwing an intimate gathering for all the moms in your life, it’s a surefire winner for pretty much any Sunday afternoon.

Hallmark Gold Crown

Tea Time Pinterest board!)

As the old adage goes, the way to any woman’s heart is through her stomach. So, let’s start with tea cakes! We created these sweet li’l darlings by making tea-infused milk for the batter. Yum.

CHAI-INFUSED TEA CAKES

Ingredients for the cake (see below for frosting):

For the batter recipe, we were inspired by Brit + Co contributor and online class teacher Tessa Huff’s Raspberry Earl Grey Cake. We made a few small adjustments. Here’s how we did it.

It’s easy to create a party scene with a few simple tricks from your hostess handbook (aka Brit + Co!). We started by using paper to create a colorful blue backdrop. Then we drew a mom heart right on the paper and adorned with faux flowers.

On the table, we’ve got a mix of sweets, treats and gifts. As we mentioned, we picked up most of these items at our local Hallmark Gold Crown store — you can even throw this party together the morning of Mother’s Day if you’re not the best advance planner ;) Here’s a list of the products that made this table sparkle.

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour, sifted
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 Tablespoons vanilla
2 teaspoons chai tea

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare one 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish with butter and flour.
2. Infuse the tea by heating the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to an almost boil and add in 2 teaspoons tea (we used Crafters & Co. Vanilla Chai Loose-Leaf Tea). Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes or so. Remove from heat and let the tea continue to steep for 5-10 minutes.
3. Whisk the eggs and yolk together; set aside.
4. Mix together all of your dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. Use the paddle attachment to mix on low. Then add in butter, vanilla and tea-infused milk, and beat on low until dry ingredients are fully moistened.
5. Now it’s time to add the eggs. Turn the mixer to medium and add in the eggs in two batches. Be sure not to over mix!
6. Pour your batter in one cake pan and bake for 60 minutes. As always, test to see if your cake is done by inserting a wooden toothpick — once it comes out clean, you’re good to go.
Now, onto the frosting.
Ingredients for the frosting:
– 1 cup butter, softened
– 5 cups powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla
– 5 Tablespoons cream
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
Mix all ingredients together in a stand mixer on low to medium. Add more powdered sugar if necessary based on the consistency you like. That’s it!
Use a cup as a cake cutter to create little dome-like circular cakes. Combine two layers by putting frosting in the middle, then frost the outside of the whole thing.
For a little extra delight, top your cake with flowers! Even better if you choose some edible flowers.

HOW TO STYLE YOUR TEA PARTY SCENE

Porcelain Teapot

Mugs ($10): You can’t have a proper tea party without a teapot and mugs, and Hallmark’s got plenty of designs to choose from.

2. Crafters & Co. Loose-Leaf Tea Tins and Tea Sachets ($13): We picked up quite a few packages of Crafters & Co. teas, and it was hard to choose a favorite. Whether you like the loose-leaf style or the classic tea sachet, they’ve got plenty for you to choose from.

3. Wood Tray With Petite Glass Cloche ($25): I know it might seem slightly insane to call a wood tray baller, but this one is that. Use it for sweets like we did, or for the ultimate cheese plate, complete with glass dome.

4. Latticework Wood Serving Tray ($20): Under all that tea is a gorgeous latticework serving tray. It’s a great way to show off the linens underneath.