How the Queen likes her afternoon tea – plus favourite Royal family recipes

Tea match for a queen (Image: Credit score Getty / REX / metro.co.uk)

A former Royal chef has revealed how the Queen likes her afternoon tea and scones.

There was strict protocol for workers to comply with on the time he labored there, and the Queen allegedly has ‘frugal’ tastes.

Darren McGrady spoke solely to Espresso Good friend, a espresso machine retailer, sharing that Her Majesty loved afternoon tea each day whereas he labored for the household.

He mentioned: ‘The Queen had afternoon tea each day, wherever she was on this planet. If we have been at Buckingham Palace and she or he was on her personal for tea, or whether or not she had Prince William come and be part of her, or whether or not she had a backyard get together for 6000 folks or even when she was on the Royal Britannia in Australia. 

‘The Queen beloved afternoon tea, I'd say it’s most likely one in all her favorite meals. Actually once I was there, she would sit down religiously for tea.’

The menu needed to contain two varieties of sandwiches with scones – in the future it could be plain, the subsequent it could have raisins.

Darren shared that bstaff would at all times name down and double test what flavour scones have been had the day earlier than, simply in order that they wouldn’t serve the identical two days in a row.

This is able to be adopted by a small cake, akin to a mini chocolate eclair, a Queen’s cake, honey and cream sponge, a fruit cake, gingerbread, banana bread, chocolate biscuit cake, or a chocolate ganache cake (her favorite).

With this, she would have Earl Gray tea – which should be piping scorching.

Tips on how to make Darren McGrady's Royal Tea Scones

(Makes about 12)

• 3 1⁄4 cups all objective flour (450grams)
  1 stick delicate butter (113grams)
• 1⁄2 cup plus 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 3⁄4 – 1 1⁄4 cups of milk
• 1/2 cup raisins (if making fruit scones)
• 1 egg yolk for glazing
• 1 jar strawberry jam
• 1 jar clotted cream (or sweetened whipped cream)

Cream or jam first? (Image: Getty Photographs/EyeEm)

1. Set the oven to 350 levels. 
2. In a big bowl, add the flour, baking powder and sugar. Add and rub within the butter till it resembles effective breadcrumbs.
3. Make a effectively within the heart and add the overwhelmed egg and about 3⁄4 cup of milk. With a steel spoon deliver the combination collectively ensuring you don't over combine it or you'll tighten the dough. If the combination is a bit of dry add extra of the remaining milk steadily.
4. Calmly mud the desk with flour and roll out the dough to about 1″ thick. Then lower utilizing a 2″ spherical cookie cutter. Place on a baking sheet about 1″ aside and brush the tops with the overwhelmed egg yolk.
5. Bake for about 15 – 20 minutes. When cooked, elevate onto a wire rack to chill.
6. Serve the scones with the jam and cream.

Darren added: ‘The one factor you'll be able to say in regards to the Queen is that she may be very frugal.

‘It was one of many issues that basically stunned me, once I moved from The Savoy to Buckingham Palace. I believed each day could be smoked salmon, foie gras, caviar, however no.

‘The Queen may be very, very frugal and it’s easy and plain meals. That comes from her early years of rising up through the struggle.’

As for Prince William and Harry, they'd love a chocolate biscuit cake as youngsters and would typically be part of the Queen for tea.

However their final favorite was a caramel banana cake, which might be requested once they have been eating.

Tips on how to make William and Harry’s childhood favorite: Caramel Banana Cake

Elements: (Makes 24 good measurement teacakes)

• 1 cup plus 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups mild brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups mashed bananas (about 5 medium) 
• 3 cups self rising flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1⁄2 cups bitter cream
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 2 tsp vanilla paste

• 1 1⁄2 cups unsalted butter
• 2 cups mild brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup bitter cream
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla paste

Scrumptious (Image: Getty Photographs/iStockphoto)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 levels. Grease a 1⁄2 sheet pan tray (12 x 18 x 1)
2. Put together the sponge by creaming the butter and sugar utilizing an electrical mixer till mild and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs and banana and beat collectively. Stir within the flour, soda, bitter cream, milk and vanilla paste till there aren't any lumps and the batter is clean. 
4. Pour into the ready tray, clean out and bake within the centre of the oven for about 40 minutes or till the sponge springs again when touched and is a golden brown. 
5. Permit the sponge to chill utterly earlier than frosting.
6. Put together the frosting by melting the butter and sugar in a pan. Stir with out boiling for about 2 minutes. Add the bitter cream, deliver to the boil. 
7. Take away from the warmth and stir within the powdered sugar and vanilla paste. Depart the frosting to chill barely and thicken earlier than fastidiously frosting the sponge. 
8. Lower the cake into fingers and serve.