These Creamy Cucumber Sandwiches are perfect for parties, baby showers, bridal showers, or just lunch. They’re easy to make in advance, making them stress-free.
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Amy’s Notes
As simple as cucumber sandwiches are, they have an English reputation as a luxurious afternoon tea snack fit for the wealthy, for high-class tea time.
Fast forward to today, cucumber sandwiches are still popular; they’re a favorite finger food, from bridal showers to lunches. In fact, I still remember the first time I made these 30 years ago for a bridal shower. These were the first thing to disappear, as they are:
- Fun to make and eat, with a creamy yet crispy texture.
- Irresistibly refreshing with lemon and dill, especially for spring and summer.
- Cucumber sandwiches can be prepared in a day advance, so the next day can be stress-free. I hope you love these as much as we do!
Key Ingredients
- Cream Cheese – Use whole, plain cream cheese for the ultimate creamy texture.
- Fresh Dill – Chopped, fresh dill gives these cucumber sandwiches an aromatic flavor boost.
- Lemon – The zest and juice of half a lemon is unique to this recipe, and provides a bright and tangy balance to the cream cheese.
- Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Use kosher salt, as it is less salty per volume than table salt.
- White or Wheat Bread – I’ve used both white and whole wheat breads, and both are fantastic. Just be sure to use a high quality, hearty bread.
- English Cucumber – I use English cucumbers instead of regular ones, as the English variety does not have seeds that need to be removed. Its skin is more tender, so I don’t even need to peel it.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cream Cheese Flavors: Try garlic and herb, onion and chives, everything bagel, or vegetable cream cheese flavors. I love the smoked salmon flavor, too.
- Bread Options: Delicious alternatives include brioche, pumpernickel, or rye breads.
- Protein Options: I love adding thinly sliced prosciutto, crispy bacon, or smoked salmon slices, as they add so much flavor to these cucumber sandwiches.
Easy Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, dill, lemon zest and juice.
- Butter each slice of bread (prevents sogginess)
- Layer cream cheese spread and cucumbers.
- Slice cucumber sandwiches into triangles or squares.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How to Prepare Ahead
- Make Cream Cheese Spread up to 2 days ahead of time. Keep in airtight container in fridge until ready to use.
- Slice Cucumbers the night before you want to use them.
- Completely Assemble Sandwiches the night before. Keep them wrapped airtight in fridge until ready to serve.
Cucumber Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese whole softened to room temp
- 2 tablespoons dill fresh, chopped
- zest and juice of 1/2 of a lemon
- Salted butter softened for spreading on bread slices
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 slices bread hearty white or wheat
- ½ of an English cucumber thinly sliced and patted dry with paper towels
Instructions
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In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, fresh dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add kosher salt and pepper. Taste and add a bit more salt and pepper, if desired.
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If desired, slice off bread crusts. Butter each slice of bread – prevents sogginess. Lay slices with butter-side-up on a work surface.
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Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture onto each slice. Arrange cucumber slices on top of the first 3 slices of bread.
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Top with remaining bread. Slice into 4 triangles per sandwich. Cover airtight and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- If not serving immediately, wrap tightly in cling wrap and chill for up to 24 hours.
- Cream cheese mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance.
- A very sharp serrated knife, such as a bread knife, works well for slicing sandwiches.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- English cucumbers are preferred for this recipe, as they don’t have seeds that need to be removed, and their skin is thinner so it’s not necessary to peel.
- For delicious variations, see original article.
- This recipe is part of our Delicious Appetizers Collection and refreshing 34 Best Lemon Recipes Collection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Towel dry the cucumber slices thoroughly, prior to using. Create a moisture barrier by spreading a layer of butter all the way to the edges, prior to adding cream cheese spread. Using a hearty bread helps keep sandwiches from getting soggy as well.
Yes, you can make the cream cheese spread and slice cucumbers a day early. Be sure to towel dry the cucumbers before assembling. It is best to assemble them the day you’re serving them; if needed, they can be made entirely ahead the night before, wrapped airtight, and chilled.
High quality, hearty white or wheat bread slices are ideal. You can also use brioche, pumpernickel, or rye.
English cucumbers or baby cucumbers are best, as they do not have large seeds that need to be removed. Their skin is also more delicate and thin, so you do not need to peel them.
What to Serve With Cucumber Sandwiches
- Strawberry Salad With Asparagus – tea sandwiches go hand in hand with beautiful salads, and this strawberry salad fits the bill.
- Caprese Pasta Salad with Basil Pesto – this colorful pasta salad is full of flavor and satisfying for any lunch gathering.
- Fresh Fruit Salsa – we absolutely adore this fresh fruit salsa, which we make on repeat all spring/summer long.
- Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips – these crispy crunchy chips are 100% better than the store bought variety and go perfectly with fruit salsa.
- Watermelon Salad Recipe – make the most of the season with this gorgeous watermelon salad – it pairs so well with cucumber sandwiches.
- The Best Mimosa Recipe – a girl’s brunch or bridal shower wouldn’t be complete without a perfect mimosa.
- The Best Paloma Cocktail Recipe – this grapefruit paloma recipe is fantastic at any gathering with friends.
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