Afternoon Tea the Vegan Way!

Most of you probably know that this month we are celebrating Veganuary! Veganuary is a registered charity inspiring people to try vegan for January and throughout the rest of the year!!

Last year Qi Teas proudly became vegan certified and we are keen to help others get on board with giving vegan a try!

Here at Qi Teas we are all about delicious afternoon tea treats and although January is a time when we are all watching what we eat, these Vegan treats are too delicious to miss out on!!!

This blog has some super tasty ideas for incorporating a vegan diet into your afternoon tea recipes!

When we think of afternoon tea we think - tiny crustless sandwiches, hot teapots full off Qi Afternoon single-estate Organic Fairtrade Tea or maybe Qi Organic Fairtrade Earl Grey Tea with cake and or biscuits, or even extra special fruit scones to satisfy the sweet tooth most of us have on these chilly January afternoons!

Unfortunately preparing these special treats in a vegan friendly way isn't always easy for the novice (or experienced) baker… What do we use instead of butter? Is there such a thing as vegan cream?? What can I use instead of eggs?? Will they taste as good when I am substituting many animal based products? The answer is YES absolutely!! In fact some might argue they taste EVEN BETTER!

Fear not, vegan baking or cooking need not be scary and daunting. We have some great tips for you below on how to add a few vegan treats to your Afternoon Tea!

Vegan Earl Grey Cupcakes

With a deliciously fragrant hint of bergamot, our Organic Earl Grey Tea bags can be used to create this fab vegan treat!

4 Qi Organic Earl Grey teabags (cut open and mix the contents into the flour)

160g self raising flour

95g white sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

85ml cup non-dairy milk (such as soy or almond)

40ml light oil (such as canola or vegetable)

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing

85g vegan butter - eg Vitalite or sunflower spread

200g powdered or icing sugar

Few drops vanilla extract

1 cup of Organic Qi Earl Grey Tea (use minimal hot water, just enough to cover the bag and release the delicious taste and goodness)

Mix together all the dry ingredients in a bowl, add all the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. Spoon your mixture into cup cake cases and bake at 180 for 18 - 20 mins or until a cocktail stick inserted in the middle comes away clean. DELICIOUS!

Vegan Scones and Cream

475 g self-raising flour

70 g caster sugar

A pinch of salt

75 g vegan butter (eg Vitalite)

240 ml dairy-free milk (eg almond or soy)

(Optional) handful of dried fruit to make fruit scones

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and salt.

Add the vegan butter in a tsp at a time and use your fingers to rub it into the flour. Alternatively, use a food processor or mixer.

When the butter is fully incorporated and the mixture resembles a dense sand, slowly add the milk and mix until it forms a soft dough.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and kneed briefly.

Add the dried fruit at this point, if using. Flatten into a 3/4 inch thick dough and cut out the scones using a small cookie cutter or upside down glass.

Transfer the scones to the baking sheet and brush with a small amount of almond milk.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.

Vegan Cream

50 g vegan butter (eg Vitalite)

75 g icing sugar sifted

4-6 tbsp coconut cream (You can use a chilled can of coconut milk and scoop the fat from the top)

Use an electric whisk or stand mixer to mix together the vegan butter and icing sugar, creating a buttercream.

Keep whisking, adding the coconut cream in a little bit at a time until it resembles a light fluffy cream and you're pleased with the taste (you may want to add more coconut cream to make it less sweet.)

Use right away or chill in the fridge. Can be kept refrigerated for up to 2 days, covered in cling film.

These recipes are great for starting out vegan bakers… Just remember that substituting animal products for vegan friendly ones doesn't need to be costly or hard work, you can find vegan substitutes in most supermarkets and you definitely don't need to compromise on taste!!

Happy baking tea lovers!!