Description
These classic Cucumber Tea Sandwiches are light, refreshing, and perfect for afternoon tea or a sophisticated snack. Thinly sliced cucumbers are lightly salted to reduce moisture, then layered with a creamy blend of full-fat cream cheese, mayonnaise, fresh herbs, and lemon zest between soft sandwich bread. Easy to make and elegant to serve, these finger sandwiches offer a delicate balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 large English cucumber (about 1 lb. / 450g), firm and unwaxed
Breads
- 8 slices firm sandwich bread, preferably no-crust white or whole grain
Spreads and Seasonings
- 1 (8-oz. / 227g) package full-fat cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. (5 ml) lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp. (8 g) fresh dill, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. (12 g) fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp. (2.5 g) kosher salt
Instructions
- Salt the cucumber slices: Slice the English cucumber thinly. Place the slices in a medium bowl and toss thoroughly with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt until coated. Spread the salted cucumber slices onto a kitchen towel, roll them up, and let them drain for about 10 minutes while pressing gently to remove excess moisture. This step prevents sogginess by drawing out water from the cucumbers.
- Make cream cheese spread: In a medium bowl, stir together the full package of cream cheese, mayonnaise, and lemon zest until smooth and lump-free. Add the finely chopped fresh dill and chives, mixing well to combine evenly. The final mixture should be thick yet spreadable without tearing the bread.
- Build cucumber sandwiches: Spread approximately 1/4 cup of the cream cheese mixture evenly onto four slices of bread. Arrange the drained cucumber slices evenly over the spread. Top with the remaining four slices of bread and press gently but firmly to help the layers adhere and flavor to meld.
- Slice for serving: Optionally, trim the crusts off the sandwich edges for a refined look. Cut each sandwich into triangles or fingers to yield a total of 16 tea sandwich pieces. Serve immediately for optimal texture and freshness, or refrigerate covered in an airtight container for up to 4 hours, understanding the bread may soften slightly as flavors meld.
Notes
- Salting cucumber slices is crucial to prevent soggy sandwiches.
- Use firm sandwich bread for best structure and handling.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried ones if necessary but fresh is recommended.
- Serve within 4 hours of assembling for best texture.
- Optionally remove crusts for a more traditional tea sandwich presentation.
