Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumber sandwiches have been around for over 100 years and they honestly haven’t varied much since they first started being made. They originated in the Victorian era of England and were enjoyed as a light snack or during afternoon tea. Since then, the popularity of a cucumber sandwich has spread worldwide and is enjoyed for tea parties, brunches, bridal showers, baby showers, luncheons or any other quaint gatherings where one might serve light finger foods.This recipe is perfect for tea parties, as an easy snack, or a light lunch. Serve these sandwiches along with one of our easy salads or refreshing drinks.
What Are Cucumber Sandwiches Made Of?
Cucumber sandwiches are very simple, light, and refreshing. They don’t require a lot of ingredients and come together in minutes! Though there can be many different variations on a cucumber sandwich recipe, some things always remain the same: bread, cucumbers and spread.
Bread
The bread for the best cucumber sandwiches should always be soft and light and thinly sliced. White bread is always a popular choice. Some people like to use a soft wheat bread or pumpernickel. We prefer a good buttermilk bread because of the subtle buttery flavor and soft texture. You can also mix and match bread! Use half of the bread slices on one side and a different kind on the other.
Cucumbers
For this cucumber sandwich recipe you want to use a sharp knife or a mandolin to slice your cucumbers very THIN. You can peel them first, leave the peels on, or use a fork or peeler to make a design in the peel before slicing. I love English cucumbers for this sandwich but you can use any type of cucumber you like. There are a few ways to do this:
Stack them – like in the pictureLayer cucumbers halfway over each other in rows like a fanned out stack of cards.Come up with your own creative way to layer them!
Spread
We like to use softened cream cheese but butter works great too (and some may argue it is more “traditional”) We like adding some mayonnaise, dill, and green onion to the spread to give it a flavor boost. For added flavor you can also try:
Dry Ranch dressing mixDry Italian dressing mixFresh, roasted garlicLemon JuiceBlack Pepper and Kosher SaltParsleyLemon ZestFresh ChivesOnion PowderFresh Herbs
How to Keep Cucumber Sandwiches From Getting Soggy
There are a couple things you can do to keep your sandwich from getting soggy. First, in a large bowl, lightly toss the sliced cucumbers in a little salt to draw out any excess moisture. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes. Drain off the excess liquid and then use a damp paper towel to pat the cucumbers dry. They will still be crisp, just less watery. Next, spread the cream cheese mixture thick enough so you don’t see the bread through the spread (see image below). This will create a barrier preventing the moisture from the cucumbers from seeping into the bread, making it soggy.
Low Carb Cucumber Sandwich or Snack Idea
One of our favorite things to do with the leftover cream cheese spread and cucumbers is to make filled cucumber boats. Peel and cut any leftover cucumbers in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Spread any remaining spread in the well. Kick it up a notch by sprinkling bagel topping seeds over the top. You can serve it as one giant “boat” or cut into smaller bite-size pieces. It’s the perfect low-carb or Keto snack!
FAQs
More Ideas For Tea Sandwiches (or Finger Sandwiches)
Make a variety of tea sandwiches to go with these cucumber sandwiches at your next tea party or brunch. We grew up eating these ribbon finger sandwiches (image below) made with deviled ham and cheese spread. They are delicious and so pretty for tea parties! My kids LOVE these sandwiches because they can easily help make them! My older kids can cut and slice the cucumbers. The younger kids can peel cucumbers and spread the cream cheese mixture on the bread pieces. So many different kitchen skills can be taught with these simple sandwiches. Also, if you get your kids involved they will be more likely to eat what they are preparing! You can also make little egg salad sandwiches with this recipe, just cut them into bite-sized finger sandwiches or squares for easy serving. Try this method using our easy chicken salad sandwich recipe as well! Read Next: Easy Lunch Ideas
Easy Tea Party Recipes and Ideas
Complete your tea party with these other easy recipes and ideas:
Peach Lemonade
Lemon Blueberry Scones
Easy Phyllo Cups with Fruit
New Orleans Beignet Recipe
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