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This Cucumber Sandwich Recipe is made with cream cheese and seasonings on cocktail rye bread with thinly sliced cucumber. The perfect appetizer for parties, showers or tea parties, cucumber sandwiches are easy to make and always a favorite!
Easy Cucumber Sandwiches: Perfect for Showers and Tea Parties!
I first made this cucumber sandwich recipe over 13 years ago for my sister’s baby shower and they were a hit! There’s just something about finger sandwiches that feels extra special. While they’re often reserved for events like showers and tea parties, I firmly believe they deserve a spot in everyday lunches and snacks.
These sandwiches, made with soft cocktail rye bread, a creamy spread, and crisp cucumber slices, are both elegant and incredibly easy to prepare. Plus, they’re endlessly customizable.
Why You’ll Love These Sandwiches
- Quick and Easy: Ready in minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
- Customizable: use cream cheese, butter, or other spreads
- Perfect for entertaining: this is my go-to baby shower / wedding shower appetizer and they never disappoint! Bite-sized, finger foods always impress!
Tips for the best cucumber sandwiches:
- Choose the right bread: cocktail bread works best, specifically cocktail rye bread. You can typically find this in the deli/bakery section of the grocery store. Cocktail rye bread is small and square and SO adorably cute.
- Fresh Cucumbers: make these any time of year, especially in the summer when garden fresh cukes are available! English cucumbers are ideal because they have fewer seeds.
- Spread: the spread / sauce for these sandwiches is so tasty, I could eat it with a spoon!
I’ve made these dozens of times and hope they become your favorite lunch and/or shower appetizer to bring and share with others.
Light, refreshing, so cute and delicious, I think you’re going to love these!
❤️ Ashley
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Pin It Nowcucumber sandwich ingredients
- Cucumber: I like to use an English cucumber because the skin is slightly thinner and the flavor is sweeter, but a regular cucumber will also work. Slice it thinly and see my tips below for avoiding excess moisture.
- Whipped cream cheese: This spreads easily on the bread and I love how fluffy it is. If you use regular cream cheese, use a hand mixer or whisk to whip it before adding the seasonings.
- Herbs and seasoning: While some recipes for cucumber sandwiches call for a packet of Italian dressing seasoning or even ranch dressing seasoning, I like to season the whipped cream cheese myself with dried parsley, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little dill.
- Cocktail rye bread: This is often found in the deli section of your grocery store, or in the bread aisle.
how to make cucumber sandwiches
Here’s a brief overview of how to make cucumber sandwiches. The full printable recipe is in the recipe card below.
- Make the cream cheese spread.
- Slice your cucumber. Thinly slice your cucumber and pat it with a clean paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Put the sandwiches together.
make ahead instructions
You can prepare cucumber sandwiches up to a day in advance, but they’re freshest and most delicious when assembled 1-3 hours before serving. To save time and prevent sogginess:
- Mix the cream cheese and store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
- Slice and pat the cucumbers dry, then store them separately.
- When ready to serve, build the sandwiches by spreading the cream cheese mixture onto the bread and topping with cucumber slices.
cucumber sandwich tips and tricks
- Pat Dry: after slicing cucumbers, blot them with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This prevents soggy bread, especially if making ahead.
- Drain Extra Moisture: place cucumber slices in a colander to let any excess liquid drain before assembly.
- Timing: assemble the sandwiches 1-3 hours before serving for the freshest taste, especially if preparing for a party
Let me know what you think of these cucumber sandwiches by leaving a comment below!
Cucumber Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 8 oz whipped cream cheese
- 1 lb cocktail rye bread
- 1 English cucumber thinly sliced
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp dried dill
Instructions
- Make the cream cheese spread: In a large bowl, use a spoon to combine the whipped cream cheese with 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ¾ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and ⅛ teaspoon dried dill.
- Prepare the cucumbers: Slice the cucumber thinly and pat the slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This prevents the bread from getting mushy.
- Assemble sandwiches: Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture on each piece of bread, then arrange 1-2 cucumber slices on top. Garnish with a sprinkle of dried dill.
- Serve: serve cucumber sandwiches immediately, or follow make ahead instructions above for the best result.
FAQ
Yes, you can prep the cream cheese spread and cucumber slices in advance. Assemble them 1-3 hours before serving to avoid soggy bread.
Cocktail rye bread is ideal. You can use soft white bread, but trim the crusts for a polished look.
Pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels before assembly and drain excess moisture.
more finger foods for showers and parties
These mini cucumber sandwiches are so perfect for baby and wedding showers and parties. Here are some other great finger food ideas.
- Veggies and The Best Homemade Ranch Dip
- Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
- Veggie Pizza
- Bruschetta with Mozzarella
- Stuffed Mushrooms
More Tea Sandwich Ideas
Cucumber sandwiches on cocktail rye are a classic, but there are so many other tea sandwiches that you can make! Here are some suggestions:
- Smoked salmon with chive spread
- Ingredients: Smoked salmon, cream cheese, lemon zest, chopped chives, and capers
- Assembly: Spread cream cheese mixture on cocktail pumpernickel bread, add a slice of smoked salmon, and garnish with capers or a sprig of dill.
- Egg salad and Watercress
- Assembly: Mix egg salad and spread on whole grain or white bread. Add a few sprigs of watercress for a peppery bite.
- Ham, Brie and Fig Jam
- Ingredients: Thinly sliced ham, creamy Brie, and fig jam.
- Assembly: Spread fig jam on one slice of bread, layer with Brie and ham, and top with another slice of bread. Best served on crusty or whole wheat bread.
