Fresh Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches
These Fresh Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches combine crisp cucumber with creamy, herb-infused cream cheese for an easy, elegant snack perfect for afternoon teas or casual brunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed (can substitute whole wheat or gluten-free bread)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- Fresh cucumber, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch or 3 mm thick)
- Butter, softened (optional, for spreading on bread)
- Optional: watercress or baby arugula for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse and dry cucumbers thoroughly. Slice into very thin rounds (about 1/8 inch or 3 mm thick). If cucumbers are watery, lightly salt slices and let sit on paper towels for 10 minutes to draw out moisture, then pat dry.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, chopped fresh dill, minced chives (if using), fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Lay out 8 slices of bread with crusts removed. If desired, lightly butter each slice. For a tender texture, gently roll each slice flat with a rolling pin.
- Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture onto 4 slices of bread. Arrange cucumber slices evenly on top in a single layer. Add watercress or baby arugula if desired.
- Top with the remaining 4 slices of bread, pressing gently to adhere. Trim edges if desired, then cut each sandwich into 3 or 4 finger-sized rectangles or triangles.
- Cover sandwiches with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors and prevent sogginess.
Notes
Soften cream cheese at room temperature for about 20 minutes before mixing for easy spreading. Lightly salting and drying cucumber slices prevents soggy bread. Chill sandwiches before serving to meld flavors and keep structure. Trim crusts for a classic elegant look. Variations include using vegan cream cheese for dairy-free, gluten-free bread, or swapping dill for mint.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 finger sandwiches
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 3
Keywords: cucumber sandwiches, cream cheese, tea sandwiches, easy snack, elegant appetizer, fresh cucumber, herb cream cheese, afternoon tea