Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

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Lindsey Goodwin

Lindsey Goodwin

Lindsey Goodwin is a food writer and tea consultant with more than 12 years of experience exploring tea production and culture.

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Updated on 02/6/24

Tested by

Diana Andrews

Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (1)

Tested byDiana Andrews

Diana earned her B.A. in Fine Art at Queens College and her culinary certification from the Institute of Culinary Education. Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer, and product tester at Food Network.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (2)

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 0 mins

Total: 20 mins

Servings: 10 servings

Yield: 40 finger sandwiches

258 ratings

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This easy cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwich recipe is ideal for kids' tea parties, but it can also be prepared with spices for a more "adult" flavor.

You can enlist your children to help in assembling the sandwiches for a kids' party. Kids can help cut off the bread crusts, spread the cream cheese, and place the cucumber slices. If your child is just learning about triangles, or even an older child digging into geometry, you can discuss the best ways to display these fun triangular sandwiches.

For adults, cucumber tea sandwiches are a very traditional choice for an afternoon tea party. You might also serve egg salad tea sandwiches or salmon and cream cheese tea sandwiches. Be sure to include scones with lemon curd, marmalade, and butter.

Tips for Making Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches

  • It's best to serve these sandwiches soon after you prepare them, so the bread doesn't dry out or become soggy from the cucumbers.
  • To peel or not to peel? If you bought waxed cucumbers, it is best to peel them before using. But if they are unwaxed, you won't need to peel them. Another variation is to peel them only partially, leaving vertical stripes. This makes them a little more attractive. It is preferable to use organic cucumbers if you are not peeling them, as there can be pesticide residue in the peels.
  • Don't toss the trimmed bread crusts. You can use them to make croutons or breadcrumbs.

What You'll Need To Make This Tea Sandwich Recipe

A Cutting Board
A Nice Sharp Knife
A Pepper Grinder

"These cucumber cream cheese tea sandwiches were such fun to make, and they were really tasty, too! I used whipped cream cheese so that it spread very easily without tearing the bread." —Diana Andrews

Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (6)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 20 slices store-bought soft white bread, such as buttermilk bread

  • 1 1/4 cups cream cheese, about 10 ounces

  • 1 English cucumber, very thinly sliced

  • Lemon juice, to taste

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Chopped fresh chives, to taste, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (7)

  2. Lay 2 slices of bread on a work surface and spread each slice evenly with 1 tablespoon cream cheese.

    Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (8)

  3. Cover 1 side of the sandwich with sliced cucumber.

    Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (9)

  4. Season with a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and pepper, and chives, if using.

    Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (10)

  5. Cover the cucumbers with the other slice of bread, cream cheese side down.

    Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (11)

  6. Cut off the crusts and slice the sandwich diagonally 2 times to create 4 triangular finger sandwiches. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Serve.

    Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (12)

How to Store

Although it's best to serve these sandwiches immediately, if you want to refrigerate them to serve later, drain the cucumber slices for 15 minutes in a colander and pat them dry before using. This will remove the excess liquid. Cover them with plastic wrap to keep the bread soft while refrigerated.

Recipe Variations

  • While this recipe uses white bread, you can consider using wheat bread or gluten-free bread.
  • You can add any herbs you like instead of the chives. Dill and watercress or arugula are especially nice.
  • Instead of using cream cheese, try slathering on a generous layer of salted butter. Use European-style butter for the best flavor.
  • Try making half of the sandwiches with white bread and half with wheat bread, then alternate them on the serving tray.
  • Instead of triangles, you can cut these sandwiches into "fingers," or long, thin rectangles.

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  • British Appetizers
  • Lunch
  • Teas
  • Citrus Recipes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
270Calories
12g Fat
33g Carbs
7g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10
Amount per serving
Calories270
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g15%
Saturated Fat 6g32%
Cholesterol 29mg10%
Sodium 455mg20%
Total Carbohydrate 33g12%
Dietary Fiber 2g6%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 1mg5%
Calcium 121mg9%
Iron 2mg13%
Potassium 150mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • tea
  • cucumbers
  • cream cheese
  • tea sandwiches

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Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you make cucumber sandwiches the night before? ›

Cucumber sandwiches are best made just 1 to 3 hours ahead of time, but they can be made up to a day in advance. But if you decide to make them ahead, you run the risk of them turning mushy.

What is special about cucumber sandwiches? ›

Light and Refreshing: Freshness and lightness are frequently linked to cucumber sandwiches. Cucumbers are refreshing due to their high water content and mild flavor, especially when combined with additional components like butter or cream cheese.

What bread is best for tea sandwiches? ›

White bread is typically used in tea sandwiches, but I love using a really interesting pumpernickel or rye to add a bit more of an interesting flavor. Making ahead of time. As I mentioned, these are great for parties since you can make them ahead of time before your guests arrive.

Where did the cucumber and cream cheese sandwich come from? ›

The sandwich originated in the United Kingdom, and modern variants, largely of United States origin, introduce cream cheese, mayonnaise, chopped dill or spices, and salmon, and may substitute brown bread. One specific US variant includes benedictine, a green soft spread made from cucumbers and cream cheese.

Can tea sandwiches be made the day before? ›

Ideally, you should aim to make your sandwiches as close to the day of your party as possible for the best flavor and freshness. I recommend making your sandwiches no more than 48hrs in advance for the best flavor come party time.

How do you keep tea sandwiches moist? ›

Most finger sandwiches can be prepared up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container. A great tip is to cover the sandwiches with a sheet of wax paper and then a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out. Uncover the sandwiches and place on serving platters just before serving.

Why do Brits eat cucumber sandwiches? ›

Cucumber Sandwiches Appeared During The Victorian Era

When British army officers sought sanctuary in tea houses to avoid the sweltering heat, they were served cucumber sandwiches, which kept them hydrated and cool due to the veggie's high water content.

How do you cut cucumbers for sandwiches? ›

Mandoline (or some sort of slicing attachment on a food processor) – A mandoline is the best way to get your cucumbers sliced thin. The texture of the sandwich is better with layers of thinly sliced cucumbers verses a thick slice of a cucumber. Bread – Make sure you buy a really good-quality thin sliced bread.

Why should you crush a cucumber before you eat it? ›

That's why chefs and home chefs from Asian cuisine have been using this technique of crushing cucumbers before slicing them for a long time. The reason for this is most likely to make sure the vegetable dries out a little bit. This way, it will become more flavoursome and it can absorb other flavours better.

What goes with tea sandwiches? ›

Any variety will provide that tea time experience, such as earl grey tea. Finger food snacks such as olives, pickles or nuts. How about a hot sandwich to accompany your cold sandwich, such as a classic grilled cheese. Spreads, dressings or condiments such as jellies, jams, mustard, ranch, mango chutney or chive butter.

How many sandwiches per person for afternoon tea? ›

How many sandwiches per person at afternoon tea? Prepare 3-4 sandwiches per person for your afternoon tea at home. The cake stand will be stacked from top to bottom with delicious food, so there will be lots for your guests to choose from, and you can be sure nobody will go hungry.

Does cucumber go with cheese? ›

This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese-yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber, while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together.

Can you eat cheese with cucumber? ›

Cucumber sandwiches

You may also be familiar with classic cucumber sandwiches that pair creamy cheeses with this crisp, crunchy fruit. If you want to make cucumbers the highlight of your sandwich, try swapping bread out for cucumber.

Are cheese and cucumber sandwiches British? ›

Cucumber Sandwiches Appeared During The Victorian Era

It was during this Victorian era that Britain turned cucumber sandwiches into a popular miniature meal eaten by members of the upper class. According to The Telegraph, the "lower classes preferred not to waste energy on something with so little protein."

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