You’ve probably heard of Afternoon Tea, High Tea and Cream Tea — but have you come across Little or Low Tea? If you’re a Downton Abbey fan, the term might ring a bell.
This charming, slightly old-fashioned British custom means serving tea between about 3pm and 5pm. It’s relaxed and informal — often around the kitchen table or in the living room — and usually includes a slice of cake and a good chat. It’s essentially a grown-up version of the after-school snack.
These dessert bars aren’t only for children though. Below is a carefully selected list of bars to suit every mood, from bright and tangy to rich and chocolatey.
Before the recipes, a few practical tips on making dessert bars:
- Get the kids involved. Baking together is fun and helps children gain confidence in the kitchen while enjoying the tasty results.
- Use a food processor if you have one. It speeds up the pastry-making and makes short work of blending ingredients for crusts and crumbs.
- Allow bars to cool before slicing. Chilling and using a large, sharp knife yields cleaner, neater squares.
- Serve with tea or coffee. A good cup of strong tea complements many of these bars perfectly.
- Freeze extras. Leftovers freeze well for up to three months when stored in an airtight container, so make ahead or save some for later.
Almond Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
These bars combine the tang of cheesecake, the almond and fruity notes of Bakewell tart, and the crunchy topping of a crumble. The result is a layered, elegant dessert that looks impressive yet is surprisingly straightforward to make.
Servings: 20 squares
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Lemon Bars
Light shortbread bases topped with a thick layer of tart, homemade lemon curd make these bars a refreshing pick-me-up. This curd is designed to be straightforward, so you get plenty of flavour without fuss.
Servings: 30 squares
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Nanaimo Bars
This iconic Canadian treat layers a crumbly base of chocolate, biscuit and coconut with a fudgy vanilla custard filling and a glossy milk chocolate top. It’s a festive, shareable classic that’s great to make ahead.
Servings: 24 squares
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Brown Butter Hazelnut Blondies
These chewy blondies are rich with brown butter and vanilla, studded with toasted hazelnuts and finished with a white chocolate drizzle. They’re a delightful alternative if you want something lighter than a dense brownie.
Servings: 12 squares
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Blackberry Crumble Bars
Inspired by the classic apple and blackberry crumble, these jammy bars use no added sugar in the filling and include a secret twist that makes them truly moreish. They’re hearty, fruity and ideal with a cup of tea.
Servings: 12 squares
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Turkish Delight Brownies
These decadently chocolatey brownies use real dark chocolate for depth and a fudgy texture, with ripples of rose jelly reminiscent of Turkish Delight. If you prefer, swap in your favourite candy or chocolate bar for a different twist.
Servings: 16 squares
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No Bake Fridge Cake Bars
No oven required — perfect to make with kids. Combine a syrupy chocolate mixture with chopped nuts, broken biscuits or dried fruit for a satisfyingly crunchy texture. Add marshmallows and it becomes Rocky Road.
Servings: 20 triangles
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Slow Cooker Chocolate Butterscotch Stuffed Cookie Bars
Part cookie, part cake, part bar — these gooey-centred delights are stuffed with homemade butterscotch and bake to crunchy edges with a soft, indulgent middle. Serve warm with toffee and vanilla ice cream for maximum pleasure.
Servings: 8 portions
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