These delicious and fresh cucumber tea sandwiches are perfect for tea or for a light and fresh snack. The fresh taste of lemon zest and lemon juice, combined with cucumbers, makes for one showstopping combination! What more perfect time to share this recipe as the summer is here and it’s still hot out! They’re SO EASY and SO TASTY! If you like this, then you’ll love my gluten free vegan Pickled Cucumbers and Cucumber Dill Salad – it’s Mediterranean and delicious!
My easy Cucumber Tea Sandwiches contains cream cheese, mayonnaise, fresh dill, chives, lemon zest and lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, an English cucumber, and white bread, and is done in less than 15 minutes, making it one quick and easy (not to mention HEALTHY) appetizer, lunch, or dinner recipe!
Pro Tips
For the best-tasting cucumber tea sandwiches, make sure to use extra soft white bread. Traditionally, English tea is served with cucumber sandwiches on rye bread. I prefer to use soft white bread for this recipe as it’s the preferred bread type.
Interesting History of Cucumber Sandwiches
If you want to have a “high tea” like the Brits, then summertime is the perfect time to do so! These quintessential tea party sandwiches may at first appear too simple or too easy, but trust me, although they’re easy to assemble, there is a process involved. It does take some time and detail to whip up a batch of delicious cucumber sandwiches, but they actually have an interesting history, dating back to 1870.
In the 1870s, British settlers in India were desperately searching for a way to combat the heat, and apparently cucumbers helped. With their fresh taste and water, they are refreshing and help quench your thirst.
Later, in the Victorian Era (1837-1901), cucumber sandwiches started to become a staple of afternoon tea. Although the Brits never added spreads to their cucumber sandwiches, according to this article by The Association for Dressings & Sauces, an added sauce sure tastes much better when paired with the cucumbers, on bread.
Ingredients in Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Cream cheese. Softened cream cheese mixes with the other ingredients to make a creamy sandwich filling.
Mayo. Mayonnaise blends with the cream cheese to create a creamy, thick texture.
Dill. Freshly chopped dill provides aroma, flavor, and nutrition.
Chives. Chives are flavorful, crunchy, and provide texture.
Lemon zest. Lemon zest is packed full of vitamin C and freshness.
Lemon juice. Use the juice from the lemon you zested.
Garlic powder. Garlic powder provides a fragrant aroma.
Onion powder. Onion powder blends with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to produce a fragrant and savory taste.
Salt. Just a pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Pepper. Freshly cracked black pepper is the highest quality and best tasting pepper.
English cucumber. An English cucumber works best in this recipe.
White bread. Use soft white bread for the best tasting cucumber sandwiches.
How to make the best Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
STEP 1: Add the cream cheese and mayonnaise to a medium bowl and use a hand mixer to beat until blended. Stir in the dill, chives, zest, juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and mix with a spoon.
STEP 2: Gently spread the cream cheese mixture on 8 slices of bread. Top with cucumber slices and additional dill or green onion, if desired.
STEP 3: Add the second piece of bread to the tops of each sandwich. Use a knife to cut the crusts off. Slice each sandwich into three slices. Serve immediately and chill in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.
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Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make these Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- ¼ c mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp dill chopped
- 2 chives chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice you can use the same lemon you zested to make the lemon juice
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- dash salt
- pepper to taste
- English cucumber thinly sliced
- 16 slices white bread with crusts removed
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese and mayonnaise to a medium bowl and use a hand mixer to beat until blended. Stir in the dill, chives, zest, juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and mix with a spoon.
- Gently spread the cream cheese mixture on 8 slices of bread. Top with cucumber slices and additional dill or green onion, if desired.
- Add the second piece of bread to the tops of each sandwich. Use a knife to cut the crusts off. Slice each sandwich into three slices. Serve immediately and chill in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.
- If you make this, don't forget to give this recipe a rating and comment!
Notes
Nutrition (per serving)
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