VE Day Party Food Recipes For Your VE DAY 80 Celebrations!
Home » COOK » Recipes » Party Food & Drink Recipes »VE Day Party Food Recipes are a must when celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day in 2025!
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the end of World War II in Europe. This year is extra special as we commemorate 80 years since that historic moment.
Whether you’re planning a big street party, a garden get-together, or simply enjoying afternoon tea at home, these classic and festive party food ideas will help you mark the occasion in true British style.
From traditional treats to fun and easy dishes, let’s make VE Day 80 a celebration to remember!
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VE Day Party Food
Hosting a VE Day 80 celebration? Along with delicious food, you might want to decorate, encourage everyone to dress in 1940s style, and play wartime tunes to really capture the spirit of the day!
So hang out the bunting (grab our free printable VE Day 80 decorations that you can print at home), make some sandwiches, cake and a pot of tea (or a cocktail!) and remember the momentous occasion of Victory in Europe, and the brave men and women who gave their all for our freedom.
VE Day 80
VE Day 80 on 8th May 2025 will unite the nation to celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe.
Events that bring the nation together, like the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Royal Weddings, and the King’s Coronation, are ideal for afternoon tea or picnics, and that’s the theme of food in this yummy round-up of VE Day party recipes!
Sandwich Fillings
You can’t have a party without sandwiches, whether you decide to make dainty finger sandwiches, chunky doorstop butties, or fill bread rolls with delicious fillings is up to you!
- Coronation Chicken: Cooked chicken mixed with creamy curry-spiced mayonnaise and raisins—invented for the Queen’s coronation, but is always perfect for a British celebration. Recipe here.
- Cucumber Sandwiches: Paper-thin cucumber slices on buttered white bread, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. An afternoon tea classic.
- Egg and Cress: Chopped boiled eggs mixed with mayonnaise and a sprinkle of fresh cress.
- Cheese and Pickle: A firm British favorite—Cheddar cheese with Branston pickle or another tangy chutney.
- Ham and Mustard: Sliced cooked ham paired with a spread of English mustard—simple but delicious.
- Salmon and Cream Cheese: Soft, white, or brown bread filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese—feels fancy but is still easy to make. Recipe here.
- Beef and Horseradish: Slices of roast beef with a dollop of horseradish sauce for a hearty and traditional option.
- Jam Sandwiches: Strawberry or raspberry jam between soft slices of bread—a sweet nod to wartime simplicity.

Roast Beef Baguette
A hearty Roast Beef Baguette filled with provolone cheese and creamy horseradish sauce, perfect for a satisfying VE Day party bite.

Classic BLT With a Twist
A Classic BLT Sandwich with a delicious avocado twist, combining crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes for a crowd-pleasing party favorite.

23+ Wrap + Sandwich Recipes
A tasty collection of easy Wraps and Sandwich Recipes, perfect for adding variety and flavor to your VE Day party spread.
Savoury Bites
No VE Day party would be complete without a selection of easy savory bites to enjoy. These simple and traditional party foods are perfect for sharing with family, friends, and neighbours.
- Mini Sausage Rolls: Puff pastry wrapped around seasoned sausage meat, baked until golden—a classic party staple. Recipe here.
- Cheese Straws: Crispy, flaky pastry sticks loaded with cheese—easy to make and loved by all ages. Recipe here.
- Mini Quiches: Bite-sized versions of quiche Lorraine or veggie quiches—perfect warm or cold. Try our Leftover Roast Chicken Crustless Mini Quiches and Cheesy Courgette Crustless Mini Quiche
- Pork Pies: Traditional British pork pies served in mini form—hearty and nostalgic. Recipe here.
- Scotch Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and baked or fried. Recipe here.
- Mini Cornish Pasties: Hand-sized pastries filled with beef, potatoes, and onions—rustic and filling. Recipe here.
- Cheese and Onion Pasties: Savoury pastries with a cheesy, oniony filling—great for vegetarians. Recipe here.
- Mini Vol-au-Vents: Tiny puff pastry cases filled with savory options, such as chicken and mushroom or prawn cocktail.
- Deviled Eggs: Halved boiled eggs filled with a seasoned creamy yolk mixture—simple, elegant, and vintage. Try our Avocado Deviled Eggs with a Spicy Kick or 7 Ways To Make Deviled Eggs.

Smoked Salmon Bites with Cream Cheese & Cucumber
Elegant Smoked Salmon Bites with cream cheese and cucumber, offering a light and refreshing option for your VE Day party table.

Feta Cucumber Cups
Fresh and flavorful Feta Cucumber Cups make an easy, bite-sized appetizer that’s perfect for VE Day party celebrations.

Cucumber Feta Watermelon Skewers
Light and colorful Cucumber, Feta, and Watermelon Skewers drizzled with balsamic glaze are a refreshing and vibrant addition to your VE Day party menu.
Also check out 21+ Yummy Finger Foods & Food On Sticks and 50 Picnic Recipes.
Salads
No party spread is complete without some fresh and tasty salads! Perfect for sharing at a street party, garden gathering, or afternoon tea, these easy salads add a pop of color and a refreshing twist to your celebrations.
- Classic Potato Salad: Creamy and comforting, Potato Salad is a must-have at any British-style party.
- Coronation Chicken Salad: Chunks of chicken in a mild curried mayonnaise dressing with fruit—a retro and flavorful choice. Recipe here.
- Simple Green Salad: (A fresh mix of lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette—bright and easy.
- Coleslaw: Crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw with a creamy dressing — perfect with sandwiches and savory bites. Try our Pineapple Coleslaw with Bacon or Coleslaw with Apple Cider Vinegar.
- Tomato and Red Onion Salad: Juicy tomatoes and sharp red onions tossed in olive oil and herbs—simple but packed with flavor. Recipe here.
- Pasta Salad: Cooked pasta tossed with colorful veggies and a light dressing—easy to prepare ahead of time. Check out 19+ Noodle & Pasta Salads.

Spring Potato Salad
This vibrant spring potato salad is packed with fresh vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette, making it a flavorful addition to your VE Day party spread.

Cobb Salad
This hearty Cobb Salad features layers of crisp lettuce, tender chicken, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and creamy avocado, making it a satisfying addition to your VE Day party menu.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad
This vibrant salad combines penne, arugula, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and feta, all tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
Other delicious pasta recipes to try: Pesto, Orzo and Cannellini Bean Salad, Vegetable Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing, and Caprese Pasta Salad.

Tropical Rice Salad
This vibrant salad combines wild rice with mango, pineapple, bell peppers, and macadamia nuts, offering a colorful and flavorful dish.
For more fruity salads, try our Mixed Berry Salad Recipe with Raspberry Vinaigrette, Waldorf Salad, Peach Blackberry Salad, and Chicken Strawberry Salad with Feta and Pecans.

Five Bean Salad
This zesty bean salad with chilli citrus dressing combines a medley of beans with a tangy, spicy dressing, offering a vibrant and flavorful addition to your VE Day party menu.​
You might also like to try our Ham and Two Bean Salad, Chickpea and Cucumber Salad, and Summer Six Bean Salad.
Cakes, Bakes & Other Sweet Treats
No celebration is complete without a selection of cakes, bakes, and sweet treats! From classic British desserts to simple homemade bakes, these delicious goodies are the perfect way to end your VE Day party on a high note.
Whether you fancy something rich, fruity, or fun, there’s a sweet treat to suit everyone’s tastes!
Classic Cakes & Bakes
- Victoria Sponge Cake: A light sponge cake filled with jam and cream—a true British teatime classic. Recipe here.
- Lemon Drizzle Cake: A moist and zesty sponge soaked in a tangy lemon syrup. Try our Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake Recipe.
- Battenberg Cake: Checkerboard sponge wrapped in a layer of marzipan—colorful and retro. Recipe here.
- Fruit Cake: A light fruit cake, like this recipe, is less dense than a traditional Rich Fruit Cake. Or try our Fruit Salad Cupcakes.
- Coffee and Walnut Cake: A classic combination that we turned into Coffee and Walnut Cake Shots.
- Carrot Cake: Moist and warmly spiced, topped with cream cheese frosting. Try our Classic Carrot Cake Recipe with Chopped Pecans.
- Treacle Tart: Golden syrup, breadcrumbs, and lemon filling in a shortcrust pastry. Recipe here.
- Bakewell Tart: A sweet pastry base topped with raspberry jam and an almond frangipane filling. Try our British Bakewell Tart Recipe.
- Jam Tarts: Mini pastry shells filled with brightly colored jams—easy and nostalgic. Recipe here.
- Bread Pudding: A classic dessert made with bread, spices, and dried fruit. Recipe here.




Her Majesty’s Macarons
Initially made for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, these red, white, and blue treats are made with egg whites, ground almonds, and sugar.

Red, White, and Blue Cake Pops
These festive Red, White & Blue Cake Pops are a fun and colorful treat, perfect for adding a patriotic flair to your VE Day party dessert table.​

Union Jack Trifle
This trifle, originally made for the Diamond Jubilee, layers sponge cake, custard, fruit, and cream to create a classic British dessert perfect for your VE Day celebration.

Eton Mess
This easy Eton Mess combines crushed meringue, fresh strawberries, and Greek yogurt for a lighter twist on the classic British dessert.
For a fancy option, make our individual, reconstructed Eton Mess!
Tea and Cake
There’s nothing more comforting than a slice of cake with a cup of tea, especially at a traditional British celebration like VE Day. Loaf cakes are easy to bake, simple to slice, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
- Spiced Pumpkin & Walnut Tea Loaf: A spiced loaf featuring pumpkin purée, sultanas, and toasted walnuts
- Gluten-Free Banana Bread: A naturally sweet loaf made with almond and coconut flours.
- Gluten-Free Spiced Apple Loaf: A flavorful loaf made with almond flour and warm spices.
- Carrot Cake Loaf: A moist and warmly spiced cake topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.
- Fruit & Nut Banana Bread Mini Loaves: Deliciously moist banana bread packed with dried fruits and crunchy nuts.
- Lemon Raspberry Loaf: A lemon sponge dotted with juicy raspberries and topped with a zesty glaze.
- Gingerbread Loaf: Topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and crunchy gingersnap crumbles.
- Madeira Loaf Cake: A firm, buttery cake with a subtle lemon flavour—simple and traditional.
- Chocolate Loaf Cake: A simple but rich chocolate cake that’s easy to slice and perfect for chocoholics.
- Date and Walnut Loaf: A hearty, slightly sticky cake with the sweetness of dates and crunch of walnuts.
- Cherry Loaf Cake: Moist sponge dotted with bright glacé cherries—a vintage bake.
Cocktails, Mocktails & Other Beverages
You need something to wash things down with, you could keep it simple and serve a bit pot of tea - so very British! Or just orange squash or cola. Or you could make a cocktail (or mocktail) or two to celebrate with. Many of my cocktail recipes include a mocktail variation!
Raspberry Lime Vodka Cocktail - Fruity & Refreshing!
If vodka is your liquor of choice, you are going to love this Raspberry Lime Vodka Cocktail.
Prosecco Cocktail with Blackberry, Elderflower & Basil
This delicious Prosecco Cocktail is made with a blackberry and basil simple syrup and elderflower liqueur.
Watermelon Lime Spritzer
Fresh watermelon and lime is topped with white wine and a dash of soda for a touch of fizz – a fresh and fruity cocktail!
Cucumber Cantaloupe Mint Fizz
 This vodka-based cocktail also contains cucumber and mint is so refreshing!
Hawaiian Margarita Cocktail
This is the most popular cocktail on The Purple Pumpkin Blog so I felt I HAD to include it here!
Mocktails - Non Alcoholic Cocktails for Parties!
Don't drink booze but still want a fancy cocktail? Make a mocktail instead!
Iced Tea Recipe
I know us Brits love a hot cup of tea, but ice tea is so refreshing and I love it! Check out Tesco's recipe
Iced Coffee Recipe
But if iced coffee is more your thing, then Tesco have a basic recipe for that too.


