Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
Cream Cheese and Cucumber Sandwiches are crisp, cool, and just downright comforting. The kind of thing you throw together when it’s too hot to turn on the stove or when you need something light that still hits the spot. Whether we’re packing up a picnic basket or just need a snack that feels a little fancy, this one never lets us down.
Looking for more easy lunches or light finger foods? You’ll want to peek at our Special Egg Salad, No Peel Egg Salad, and this super versatile Broccoli Salad with Almonds. All fast, fresh, and full of flavor.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s light, crisp, and cooling: Just what we crave on a warm afternoon or when we want something easy and refreshing.
- Comes together in minutes: No cooking, no stress, no mess. Just slice, spread, and stack.
- Use garden cucumbers: This recipe is a great way to use some of your garden produce and turn it into a simple summer meal.
Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, fresh ingredients. Cream cheese serves as a luscious base, enhanced with the zestiness of lemon, the subtle earthiness of dill, and the slight bite of chives. Thinly sliced English cucumbers add crunch, while radishes and paprika top things off with vibrant color and texture.
Variations
- Whole-Grain Goodness: Opt for whole-grain bread to give your sandwiches a nutty flavor and added fiber.
- Add Protein: Take these up a notch by adding smoked salmon or herbed turkey slices for an extra burst of flavor.
- Spicy Twist: Mix a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes into the cream cheese for a subtle kick.
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, herbs, and seasonings until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly onto slices of bread. Top half of the slices with overlapping layers of thinly sliced cucumber and radish.
- Sprinkle with a hint of paprika, then place the remaining slices of bread on top, cream cheese side down.
- Press gently, slice into halves or quarters, and serve fresh.
Expert Tips
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth spread.
- Slice Thinly: Use a mandoline slicer for paper-thin cucumber and radish slices that elevate the sandwich’s texture.
- Serve Fresh: These sandwiches are best eaten immediately or within a few hours of preparation to maintain their crispness.
- Remove the Crusts: For a more elegant presentation, remove the crusts from the bread before assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about this cream cheese cucumber sandwiches recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Yes, you can prepare the cream cheese spread a day in advance and assemble the sandwiches a few hours before serving. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Soft, white bread or brioche is traditionally used, but you can experiment with whole-grain or gluten-free options depending on your preference.
It’s not recommended to freeze these sandwiches, as the cucumbers may become soggy and lose their crisp texture.
Store the leftover cream cheese spread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
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📖Recipe
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
Equipment
- medium bowl
- Electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- sharp knife
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons fresh dill chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chives finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 English cucumber
- 3-4 radishes very thinly sliced
- 1 loaf brioche bread or white bread, crusts removed
- Paprika for dusting
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill, chives, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Lay out the bread slices in pairs. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over all slices.
- On half the slices, arrange overlapping layers of cucumber and radish. Sprinkle the top with paprika.
- Place the remaining bread slices on top, cream cheese side down. Gently press together and cut each sandwich into halves or quarters and serve immediately.
Notes
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
