These Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese are a classic for a reason. Soft bread, cool crisp cucumber, and a creamy herb-seasoned spread come together in every bite for a light, refreshing sandwich that’s perfect for afternoon tea, brunch, parties, showers, picnics, or an easy snack.
They’re also incredibly simple to make. You don’t need to turn on oven, and with a few easy tricks to keep cucumber from making the bread soggy, you can have an elegant platter ready in about 15 minutes.
Why You’ll Love These Cucumber Sandwiches
These little sandwiches are light enough for a snack but special enough for entertaining.
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- No cooking required
- Cool, crisp, and creamy
- Made with simple ingredients
- Perfect for tea parties and brunch
- Great for baby showers and bridal showers
- Easy to make ahead
- Simple to customize with herbs and seasonings
Ingredients You’ll Need
For Sandwiches
- 8 slices soft white sandwich bread
- 1 large English cucumber
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
English cucumber is especially convenient because it has thin skin and fewer seeds. If you’re using a regular cucumber, peel it if desired and remove some of the seeds before slicing.
How to Make Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
Make the Cream Cheese Spread
Add the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a bowl.
Mix until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you’d like a little more lemon, dill, or pepper.
Slice the Cucumber
Wash and dry the cucumber, then slice it very thinly.
A mandoline can make evenly thin slices, but a sharp knife works perfectly well too.
Remove Excess Moisture
Arrange the cucumber slices on paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
Gently pat them dry on both sides.
This step is important because cucumbers contain a lot of water. Removing some of that moisture helps keep the sandwiches fresh instead of soggy.
Spread the Bread
Place the bread slices on a cutting board and spread an even layer of the cream cheese mixture over each slice.
Spread the cream cheese all the way toward the edges. It creates a flavorful layer and also helps provide a little barrier between the moist cucumber and the bread.
Add the Cucumber
Arrange the cucumber slices over half of the bread slices, slightly overlapping them.
Don’t add an excessively thick layer. A thin, even layer gives you the ideal combination of creamy spread, soft bread, and crisp cucumber.
Assemble the Sandwiches
Place the remaining bread slices on top, cream cheese side down.
Press gently to hold everything together without crushing the bread.
Cut and Serve
For classic tea sandwiches, trim the crusts and cut each sandwich into halves, triangles, or small rectangles.
Arrange them on a serving platter and garnish with a little fresh dill if desired.
The Best Bread for Cucumber Sandwiches
Soft white bread is the traditional choice because it has a delicate texture that lets the cucumber and cream cheese shine.
You can also use:
- Soft wheat bread
- Brioche
- Multigrain sandwich bread
- Sourdough sandwich bread
- Gluten-free sandwich bread
For an afternoon tea or shower, white bread gives these sandwiches the most classic appearance.
How to Keep Cucumber Sandwiches From Getting Soggy
The biggest challenge with cucumber sandwiches is moisture.
First, slice the cucumber thinly and pat the slices thoroughly dry. Second, avoid adding an excessive amount of cucumber.
The cream cheese spread also helps create a barrier between the bread and cucumber. For the freshest sandwiches, assemble them a few hours before serving rather than making them a full day ahead.
Tips for the Best Cucumber Sandwiches
Soften the Cream Cheese
Room-temperature cream cheese spreads much more easily and helps prevent the soft bread from tearing.
Use Fresh Cucumber
Choose a firm cucumber with smooth skin and no soft spots. Fresh cucumber provides the crisp texture these sandwiches need.
Don’t Overload the Sandwiches
These are delicate tea sandwiches. A moderate amount of cucumber and spread creates a much better texture than a thick, bulky filling.
Trim the Crusts for a Classic Look
Removing the crusts isn’t necessary for flavor, but it gives the sandwiches that traditional tea-party appearance.
Cut Just Before Serving
For the cleanest edges and freshest texture, assemble and cut the sandwiches relatively close to serving time.
Easy Variations
Everything Bagel Cucumber Sandwiches
Mix everything bagel seasoning into the cream cheese for a savory, slightly crunchy variation.
Lemon Dill Cucumber Sandwiches
Add extra fresh dill and a little more lemon zest or lemon juice for a bright herb flavor.
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Sandwiches
Add a thin layer of smoked salmon for an elegant brunch version.
Spicy Cucumber Sandwiches
Mix a small amount of hot sauce or crushed red pepper into the cream cheese.
Garden Vegetable Sandwiches
Add thinly sliced radishes or a few fresh herbs for extra color and crunch.
Can I Make Cucumber Sandwiches Ahead of Time?
Yes, but they’re best when made relatively close to serving.
The cream cheese mixture can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
The sandwiches can be assembled a few hours before serving. Cover them tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
What to Serve With Cucumber Sandwiches
These sandwiches are especially good as part of a light spread with:
- Fresh fruit
- Berries
- Tea
- Lemon water
- Iced tea
- Fresh green salad
- Deviled eggs
- Mini pastries
- Scones
- Vegetable crudités
For an afternoon tea, serve them alongside tea, scones, fruit, and small desserts for an easy and elegant spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular cucumbers?
Absolutely. English cucumbers are convenient because they have fewer seeds, but regular cucumbers work well too. If they contain a lot of seeds, remove some of the watery center before slicing.
Do I need to peel the cucumber?
No. The peel can add color and texture. If you’re using a cucumber with thick or waxy skin, peeling it is a good option.
Can I use flavored cream cheese?
Yes. Herb, garlic, or vegetable cream cheese can work beautifully. Just adjust the additional seasonings so the flavor doesn’t become too strong.
How long do cucumber sandwiches last?
They’re best served the same day. If refrigerated and properly covered, they can generally be enjoyed within several hours, but the bread will gradually soften as it absorbs moisture.
Can I freeze cucumber sandwiches?
Freezing isn’t recommended. Cucumbers contain a lot of water and can become watery and soft after thawing.
Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and dry the cucumber. Slice it very thinly.
- Arrange the cucumber slices on paper towels and gently pat them dry to remove excess moisture.
- In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Lay the bread slices on a clean work surface and spread an even layer of the cream cheese mixture over each slice.
- Arrange cucumber slices over half of the bread, slightly overlapping them.
- Place the remaining bread slices on top, cream cheese side down.
- Press gently to secure the sandwiches without flattening them.
- Trim the crusts if desired for a classic tea-sandwich presentation.
- Cut each sandwich into triangles, rectangles, or halves.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Estimated per serving:
- Calories: 115 kcal
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 180mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on ingredients and brands.
