Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich

August 8, 2024

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This Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich layers an herby cream cheese spread with thinly sliced cucumbers on bread. It’s a crisp and refreshing sandwich to serve with afternoon tea, at a party, or a picnic!

overview of a side view of cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches stacked on top of each other

Whether you’re hosting a luncheon, high tea, a baby shower, or any summer party, these Herby Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches are a must-have. They’re an easy, no-cook snack that even the pickiest eater will love.

Two ingredients stand out in this cucumber sandwich recipe: (1) A herbed cream cheese mix, and (2) crunchy cucumber slices. Slather the easy herby cream cheese on the sandwich bread, layer the cucumber slices over top, and finish with the second slice of bread. Cut the sandwiches into little fancy triangles and enjoy!

Serve them as a refreshing appetizer at a party or shower, bring them to a picnic, or enjoy them with your afternoon tea. You can even serve them with these almond flour blueberry scones for the true English high tea experience!

Recipe features

An easy yet fancy-ish tea sandwich to pair with your afternoon tea, bring to a picnic, or enjoy for a light lunch.
The cucumbers are refreshing and crisp, while the herby cream cheese mixture is rich and creamy. Every bite is better than the last!
Make a double batch of the cream cheese sandwich spread to slather on your toasted bagels or serve as a creamy veggie dip.

Ingredients

Cream cheese – Cream cheese is my go-to base for rich and creamy spreads and dips, like my cold crab dip. It’s tangy, cheesy, and smooth, but sturdy enough to hold up well in a sandwich. Both full-fat and reduced-fat cream cheese will work for this cucumber cream cheese sandwich—use what you normally buy!

Mayonnaise – A little mayo in the cream cheese spread will smooth the consistency. Greek yogurt and sour cream both work well as substitutes.

Fresh herbs – I used fresh dill and chives for an addictively bright and savory flavor in the sandwich spread. If you only have dry herbs, use 1 teaspoon of dried dill and 2 teaspoons of dried chives instead.

Spices – Garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper round out the flavors in the spread.

Cucumber – Because it wouldn’t be a cucumber tea sandwich without the thinly sliced cucumbers! Use an English cucumber with very little or no seeds.

Bread – I like using white sandwich bread with the crusts cut off for a clean presentation, but whole wheat sandwich bread is tasty, too.

Instructions

Step 1: Soften the cream cheese. Microwave the cream cheese and butter in the microwave for 1 minute, pausing every 15 seconds to make sure they don’t melt. Transfer to a large bowl.

Step 2: Make the herb and garlic cream cheese. Use an electric mixer to mix the mayo into the cream cheese/butter mixture until smooth. Next, stir in the dill, chives, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.

herb and garlic cream cheese mixed together in a glass bowl with a spatula

Step 3: Assemble. Spread the herby cream cheese over one slice of bread. Add the thinly sliced cucumber on top. Add a little more cream cheese to the second slice of bread, then place it on top. Cut off the crusts and slice diagonally. Enjoy!

side view of cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches stacked on top of each other

Tips and FAQs

If you have one, use a mandoline to slice the cucumbers. It’s the best tool for evenly sliced veggies!
Cut the crusts off the bread before serving for easy eating and a pretty presentation.

Tip

The key is to soften the cream cheese and butter before making the spread. If you skip this step, the spread won’t be as smooth and there will be big globs of cream cheese left behind.

Variations

Swap the bread for a tortilla – Cucumber pinwheels are fun, too! Spread the herbed cream cheese on large tortillas or lavash bread, layer the cucumbers on top, and roll it tightly. Slice the roll into 4 or 5 pinwheels and pierce them with a toothpick to keep them closed.
For a more filling sandwich – You can layer fresh baby spinach leaves, sliced bell peppers, pickled red onions, or even smoked salmon over the cucumbers if you’d like a heartier sandwich.
Brighten the spread – A dash of lemon juice will make the cream cheese spread even brighter if that’s what you’re craving.

How else can I use the herby cream cheese?

Spread it on a toasted bagel for breakfast or serve it in a bowl surrounded by fresh cut vegetables (carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, etc.) for dipping!

Do I need to drain the cucumbers first?

Salting and draining the cucumbers is an optional step you can take if you’d like the sandwiches to last a little longer. To do so, add the sliced cucumbers to a colander in the sink and sprinkle a generous amount of salt over top. Let them drain for 30 minutes, then rinse them with water and pat them dry.

Without the excess water in the cucumbers, your sandwiches won’t get soggy and should last a few hours longer.

Can I make tea sandwiches ahead of time?

You can assemble the sandwiches 1 to 2 hours in advance. Cover them in a layer of plastic and place them in the fridge until it’s time to eat.

Storage

Try to eat the cucumber sandwiches within a few hours of assembly. The leftovers do not store well because the moisture in the cucumbers will eventually make the bread soggy and the cream cheese spread watery.

Refrigerator: Any leftover cream cheese spread can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

close-up of a side view of cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches stacked on top of each other

More easy party snacks

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!