Sweet Tea Party

Every little girl dreams of dress-up tea parties - and a birthday party themed to make her special dream come true is a treat for both you and the birthday girl. Decorate with fresh flowers, little teacups, and pretty lacy napkins. And send each friend home with little purses filled with girly treasures, like glittery nail polish or frilly hair clips.

"Cake pieces will be easier to handle if you freeze them on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes to an hour before frosting."

Andi, Food Editor - Betty Crocker Kitchens

The Menu
Party Guide
Plan Ahead

Birthday Cake

Purse Cake

Another Sweet Idea

Chocolate Chip Scones

Check out the How-To Video for the Purse Cake here!

Party Invitations

Make do-it-yourself invitations by cutting cardstock to create a fold-up purse. Tuck a gold chocolate coin in the purse with the important 'when and where' details before it's mailed.
Encourage guests to bring a favorite teddy bear or doll to the party.

Party Decorations

Use a lace tablecloth or cover a plain one with paper doilies.
Let the Purse Cake become the centerpiece.

Party Games & Activities

Visit a second-hand clothing store or raid Grandma's cedar trunk for dress-up clothes, hats and costume jewelry. Let the girls dress up for their tea party.
Have a jump rope or hopscotch competition (give each girl a pretty "jewel" to toss into the squares) if excess energy needs to be exercised.
Have the partygoers decorate picture frames (cardboard or plastic) found at craft stores using buttons, rhinestones and jewels.

Party Favors

String ribbon through squares of netting or doilies from fabric stores and fill with candies.

Food Fun

Buy pastel-colored sugars or sugar cubes to sweeten warm apple cider.

Up To One Week Before

Make Chocolate Chip Scones. If you'd like small girl-size scones, divide the dough in half and pat out two circles of dough (about 4-inches wide). Score into wedges and bake 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool; place in resealable freezer plastic bags. Freeze until morning of party.

The Day Before

Make and decorate the Purse Cake.
Thaw scones in refrigerator.

The Morning Of

Make finger sandwiches (the birthday girl may want to help cut them out). Arrange on china plate or tiered cookie pedestal.
Set the tea table, using large white paper doilies as place mats.
Make lemonade and chill (if serving).

Just Before Serving Guests