Can I make scones and cherry cake ahead for afternoon tea?

[OneBusyFinch]

I’m not a confident baker and would like to ask for advice please.

I’ve invited three neighbours for afternoon tea on Sunday. I’m planning to do

• small square cucumber sandwiches
• scones with clotted cream and jam
• some kind of savoury tartlets
• Mary Berry Cherry cake

I would really like to make the scones and cake in advance - would that work if stored in cake tins or are they really best if made fresh on the day?

Really dislike shop bought scones; they never taste fresh.
Bake them the same day, they go stale very quickly.

I do bake but I've never made scones. Might give it a go today.

@NhsAeful scones are really easy, just don’t roll the mixture too thinly or you’ll get flat scones.

Do you have a good recipe?

I can't resist putting my scone tip in - replace the buttermilk in the recipe with clotted cream and a generous squeeze of lemon juice.

Am feeling less confident after reading all these expert baker tips! I was going to use Mary Berry’s very best scone recipe

all ready for tea

Think my lemon must have been extra big and juicy because the lemon icing went a bit thin x

Also overdid the scones but they did rise well!

Looks lovely 🥰

🤤 I would love to eat those!

I agree.

I woukd be wowed if my neighbour presented me with those. Well done!

Looks gorgeous!

Update - tea over. Neighbours really liked the scones (despite them being slightly dark) .All scones were eaten which is the best compliment. They were rather full of sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam by the time the cake was served but all managed a small slice. I thought it was a tiny bit dry, so next time will check I didn’t put too much dry ingredients in.

overall, very pleased and do feel a bit more confident. I had forgotten how much work was involved so it was good to be reminded and I will do teas again more frequently so I don’t get out of practice!

thanks for all the advice!