Description

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches are light, delicate bites combining crisp cucumbers with soft white bread and a creamy spread. Ready in under 15 minutes, these refreshing, low-calorie sandwiches are perfect for elegant tea times, casual gatherings, or kid-friendly snacks. Featuring simple ingredients with optional herbs and variations, they offer a versatile and satisfying flavor balance.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

Fresh cucumbers (firm, thin-skinned) – quantity as desired for thin slices
Soft white bread (crusts removed) – enough slices for assembling sandwiches
Cream cheese or softened butter – enough to generously spread on bread slices
Salt and pepper – to taste

Optional Ingredients

Fresh dill or fresh mint – finely chopped, to mix into spread or garnish
Chives or parsley (for herbed cream cheese variation)
Dairy-free cream cheese (for vegan variation)
Lemon zest (for vegan variation)
Thin slices of radish or bell pepper (for added crunch)
Thin slice of smoked salmon (for smoked salmon version)
Cayenne pepper or horseradish (for spicy kick)

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Instructions

Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash and dry cucumbers thoroughly. Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice them very thinly for ideal sandwich texture. Lightly pat the slices dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, preventing sogginess.
Prepare the Bread: Trim the crusts off the soft white bread slices. Lightly flatten each slice with a rolling pin to ensure even, tender bites and a perfect melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Add the Spread: Generously spread cream cheese or softened butter evenly over each slice of bread. If using herbs or seasonings, mix them into the spread first to distribute flavor evenly.
Layer the Cucumbers: Arrange the thin cucumber slices neatly over half of the bread slices, slightly overlapping to cover the surface. Season lightly with salt and pepper to enhance freshness.
Assemble and Cut: Top with the remaining bread slices, spread side down, pressing gently to seal. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the sandwiches into small rectangles or classic finger-sized triangles for an elegant presentation.

Notes

Keep cucumbers dry by patting slices before assembling to prevent soggy bread.
Use very thin cucumber slices to maintain crispness and texture balance.
Trim crusts carefully to achieve the traditional soft and dainty tea sandwich texture.
Chill assembled sandwiches for at least 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and bread firm up.
Cut sandwiches with a serrated knife to avoid squishing and maintain clean edges.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: No-cook
Cuisine: British

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 sandwiches
Calories: 120
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg