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Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and Lemon

These Creamy, Lemony Cucumber Sandwiches are perfect for parties and showers. They’re super easy to make in advance and taste incredible. 

Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and Lemon
Cucumber Sandwiches are popular for parties, showers, and lunches.

Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and Lemon

As simple as cucumber sandwiches are, they have a quintessentially English reputation as a luxurious afternoon tea snack fit for the wealthy. The dainty sandwiches were often sliced into triangles, with crusts removed, for high-class tea time.

Fast forward to today, cucumber sandwiches are still made with a handful of simple ingredients, but they’re now a favorite finger food at all kinds of gatherings, from baby showers to lunches.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

  • They’re fun to munch, with a simultaneously creamy yet crispy texture
  • They’re irresistibly refreshing, especially on a warm summer day
  • Vegetarians and omnivores alike can enjoy them
  • Cucumber sandwiches can be prepared in advance
Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and Lemon
Cucumber Sandwiches are deliciously creamy and lemony

The Perfect Finger Food for Showers and Parties

I’ve made platefuls of these Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and Lemon for baby showers, bridal showers, and lunch parties. The plates always come back empty, as these little cucumber sandwiches are deceptively delicious. They look simple, but taste amazing.

Note: cucumber sandwiches aren’t favorited by women only. This I know, because we’ve been a part of many co-ed shindigs.  Guys can scarf down their fair share of these little sandwiches.

Everyone adores these sandwiches with their special lemony twist.  That refreshing burst of lemon marries perfectly with cream cheese and dill.  The crunch of fresh cucumbers is enlivening.  All of it is tenderly enveloped by your favorite bread. Good quality white or wheat bread both work well.

Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and Lemon
These cucumber sandwiches can easily be made in advance

What to Serve With Cucumber Sandwiches

Commonly Asked Questions

How Can I Make Cucumber Sandwiches in Advance?

The cream cheese mixture can be made 1-2 days in advance and chilled airtight until ready to use. The sandwiches can be fully assembled 24 hours in advance.

Are Cucumber Sandwiches Healthy?

We like to call these healthyish. These tea sandwiches include butter and cream cheese, but they are also loaded with fresh lemon and crispy cucumbers. Whole grain bread makes them even better.

Why is Butter Needed?

You can go light on the butter if you’d like, though the butter not only provides extra flavor, but it also prevents the bread from becoming soggy.

What Kind of Bread is Best?

Your favorite kind of high quality white or whole wheat bread. A fluffy-soft yet dense textured bread works well.

More to Make and Eat

Try These 3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies, Too

Did you make this?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese and lemon

Lemony Cucumber Cream Cheese Sandwiches

4.95 from 60 ratings
These Creamy, Lemony Cucumber Sandwiches are perfect for parties and showers. They’re super easy to make in advance and taste incredible. 
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

  • 4 oz cream cheese, whole softened to room temp
  • 2 TB dill, fresh, chopped
  • Zest and Juice of half a large lemon
  • Salted butter, softened for spreading on bread slices
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 slices bread, high quality white or whole grain
  • ½ large cucumber, seeded and thinly sliced, thoroughly dried with paper towels

Instructions

  • Combine: in a small bowl, combine cream cheese, fresh dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add enough kosher salt and pepper to taste.
  • Assemble: butter each slice of bread (prevents sogginess.) Lay slices with butter-side-up on a work surface. Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture onto each slice. Arrange towel-dried cucumber slices on top of the first 3 slices of bread. Top with remaining bread. Slice off the crusts. If not serving immediately, wrap tightly in cling wrap and chill for up to 24 hours.
  • Slice: when ready to serve, slice into 4 triangles per sandwich. Cover and chill any leftovers. 

Notes

  • Cream cheese mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance.
  • If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡

Nutrition (per serving)

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 7.7g | Protein: 3.7g | Fat: 4.6g | Saturated Fat: 2.3g | Cholesterol: 40.5mg | Sodium: 114.5mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1.2g
Course: Appetizer, Side
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Method: Assemble
4.95 from 60 votes (48 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




54 comments

    • Christina

    So delicious! I’d never had a cucumber sandwich before trying this recipe. The flavor is light and fresh. And the cucumbers give the perfect crunch. I’m in love! So perfect for spring or summer time. I gobbled down the first two sandwiches after making them and my full stomach had to convince me to save the third one for lunch tomorrow. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!

      • chewoutloud

      We love these sandwiches for spring and summer, too. I gobbled up more than a couple of these before serving them 🙂

    • huntfortheverybest

    i like cucumber sandwiches. this one sounds great!

      • chewoutloud

      It’s really refreshing and brightly delish!

        • IFortuna

        I could not see where else to post so I just picked this spot. I love your recipes. Traditionally tea sandwiches should have a very thin but flavorful filling. It makes a neater sandwiches and helps the guest avoid the embarrassment of dropping food all over their nice clothing or on the floor. Tea sandwiches and canapes are an art form that should be preserved and honored. Cucumbers should be sliced paper thin. Other filling should almost be pureed. Take it from someone who comes from a long line of tea sandwich consumers and makers.
        My best,
        Lady Hayhead of Hertfordshire

        • chewoutloud

        Thanks for the kind and thoughtful comment! I’m so happy you love this 🙂 Happy cooking!

    • Liz

    All lovely recipes. Thanks so much and have a Wonderful Day.

      • chewoutloud

      Thanks, Liz!

    • Carol at Wild Goose Tea

    Considering my website, you know both these sandwiches are in my wheelhouse for tea sandwiches. Why the popularity of egg and bacon sandwich is your obvious answer. But why do cucumber sandwiches taste so good. It sounds so bland and like you were really really stuck for a filling. But they are exceptionally good! One of life’s many little positive surprises.

      • chewoutloud

      Yes, they are surprisingly delish! 🙂

        • Jocelyn

        Hi! I am planning a bridal shower for my friend and she send me the link to your sandwich (subtle no). Can you give me exact measurements of butter and salt if possible? Also can these be made 24hrs in advance without getting soggy? What kind of bread do you recommend? Sorry for all the questions but I’ve never made cucumber sandwiches. I’d appreciate any direction. Thanks!

        • chewoutloud

        Hi, Jocelyn! I usually use just a very thin layer of softened butter (easier to spread when soft)… you will be fine if you just eyeball and use a thin layer. As for the salt, I would start with maybe 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (not table salt) and add more to taste, if needed. You can make the filling the night before and assemble the sandwiches the morning of. I like whole wheat or whole grain bread, as it doesn’t get as soggy as white bread. Hope that helps. Have a great shower!

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