Whip up this easy cucumber sandwich recipe with cream cheese in just 5 minutes! Perfect for a light lunch, afternoon tea, or party appetizer.

There’s nothing quite like the crisp snap of a homegrown cucumber, freshly plucked from the vine. My garden overflows with these cool, green gems each summer, and I’m always looking for delicious ways to enjoy the bounty.

This 5-minute cucumber sandwich with cream cheese is a light, refreshing favorite – my go-to for lazy brunches, sunny picnics, or whenever I crave a quick, flavorful bite. It’s simplicity at its best, showcasing the garden’s star in a truly satisfying way. Wait until you try this recipe!

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A wooden board displays several small triangle-cut cucumber sandwiches next to a bunch of green grapes and two ripe strawberries, set on a granite countertop. Perfect for brunch or as an accompaniment to your coconut shrimp tacos recipe, the sandwiches are made with soft white bread and slices of cucumber. — Refreshing Cucumber Sandwiches

How to Make 5-Minute Cucumber Sandwich Recipe With Cream Cheese

This cucumber sandwich with cream cheese recipe is so good and so easy to make! There are very few ingredients needed for this recipe. But I love that I can use the cucumber harvest from my vegetable garden!

Ingredients

1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
8 oz whipped cream cheese
1 loaf of thin-sliced bread
Fresh dill or chives for garnish (optional)

While fresh cucumbers from your garden or local market are ideal, any cucumber will work for this recipe. I love using my homegrown cucumbers, but if you don’t have any, simply grab some from your favorite store.

As for cream cheese, I find whipped easier to spread, but block cream cheese is also perfectly fine. And feel free to use your favorite bread, although thin slices are best for these delicate sandwiches.

Refreshing Cucumber Sandwich with Cream Cheese — What you need.

Step-by-Step Directions For This Cucumber Sandwich Recipe with Cream Cheese

Prepare the Cucumbers: Thinly slice the cucumber. You can use a mandoline for consistent slices.
Prepare the Bread: Use thin-sliced bread for a delicate sandwich. You can use white, wheat, or your favorite type of bread.
Spread the Cream Cheese: Spread a generous layer of whipped cream cheese on each slice of bread. The whipped cream cheese helps prevent the bread from getting soggy.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Layer the cucumber slices on one slice of bread and top with another slice, cream cheese side down.
Garnish: If desired, garnish with fresh dill or chives for added flavor.
Cut and Serve: Cut the sandwiches into quarters or fingers for serving.

Serving Ideas For Cucumber Sandwiches

These cucumber sandwiches are perfect for serving at:

Tea Parties: Serve alongside a selection of teas and other finger sandwiches.
Picnics: Pack them in your picnic basket for a refreshing snack.
Brunches: Add them to your brunch spread with other light bites.

Cucumber Sandwich Recipe with Cream Cheese Variations

To make your cucumber sandwiches even more exciting, consider these variations:

Herbs and Spreads

Dill and Chive Cream Cheese: Mix fresh dill and chives directly into your whipped cream cheese for an aromatic and classic flavor boost.
Minty Fresh: For a surprisingly refreshing twist, finely chop fresh mint leaves and blend them into the cream cheese.
Spicy Kick: Add a thin layer of Dijon mustard or a touch of prepared horseradish to the bread before spreading the cream cheese for a subtle heat. A pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes can also be mixed into the cream cheese.
Garlic & Herb: Stir in a small amount of garlic powder and a blend of dried Italian herbs or fresh parsley for a savory profile.

Bread Choices

While thin-sliced white bread is traditional, experiment with other types of bread like whole grain, rye, pumpernickel, or even brioche for a richer taste.
For a gluten-free option, use your favorite gluten-free bread.
Consider using mini bagels or cocktail bread for bite-sized appetizers.

I love making mine with a thin sliced bread.

Refreshing Cucumber with Cream Cheese Sandwich

Additional Ingredients

Vegetable Crunch: Incorporate thinly sliced radishes, bell peppers (red or yellow), or a crisp layer of butter lettuce or arugula for added texture and nutrients.
Protein Boost: Add thin slices of smoked salmon for a sophisticated touch, or finely chopped hard-boiled eggs for a heartier sandwich.
Avocado Creaminess: Mash ripe avocado and mix it with a squeeze of lime juice, then layer it with the cucumbers and cream cheese.
Tomato & Basil: Thinly slice cherry tomatoes and arrange them with fresh basil leaves alongside the cucumbers for a Caprese-inspired flavor.
Onion Infusion: For a subtle onion flavor, add very thin slices of red onion or finely chopped green onions (scallions).

Cream Cheese Alternatives & Enhancements

Flavored Cream Cheese: Use store-bought flavored cream cheeses like chive and onion, garden vegetable, or even a smoked salmon cream cheese.
Dairy-Free: Easily make this recipe dairy-free by substituting with your preferred dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
Yogurt Blend: Lighten the cream cheese by blending it with a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt for a tangier and slightly lighter spread.

Presentation & Shape Ideas for Cucumber Sandwich Recipe with Cream Cheese

Open-Faced: Serve them as elegant open-faced sandwiches garnished with extra herbs or a sprinkle of paprika.
Roll-Ups: Remove the crusts, flatten the bread, spread cream cheese and cucumbers, then carefully roll them up and slice into pinwheels.
Cookie Cutter Shapes: For a fun twist, especially for parties, use cookie cutters to create various shapes (stars, hearts, circles) from the assembled sandwiches.

Prep Ahead Tips

You can gather all of the ingredients and slice up the cucumbers ahead of time, but not more than a day. However, I would hold off making cucumber sandwiches until you are within a few hours of serving.

Cucumbers: Slice the cucumbers up to a day ahead and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Cream Cheese: You can mix herbs into the cream cheese a day ahead for extra flavor.
Assemble: Assemble the sandwiches up to a few hours before serving. Keep them covered with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap to keep the bread soft.

Storage Suggestions for Your Cucumber Sandwich Recipe with Cream Cheese

If you have any leftovers:

Refrigerate: Store the sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge. They are best enjoyed the same day but can last up to a day.
Avoid Freezing: These sandwiches are not suitable for freezing as the cucumbers will become mushy.

Cucumber Sandwich Recipe with Cream Cheese FAQs

Will Cucumber Make Sandwiches Watery?

Cucumbers can make sandwiches watery if not made fresh. When preparing cucumber sammies, it’s best to make them just prior to an event. That said, when there is a barrier on both slices of the bread, such as cream cheese, that helps keep the moisture away from the bread.

How Do You Keep Cucumber Sandwiches From Getting Soggy?

The answer is to add a barrier between the bread and the sliced cucumbers. In this recipe, we spread whipped cream cheese on both slices of bread.

Can I use store-bought cream cheese instead of whipped?

Whipped cream cheese is preferred for its lighter texture and spreadability, but if you only have regular cream cheese, you can use it. Just soften it at room temperature and mix it until smooth to make spreading easier.

A wooden tray holds several neatly arranged triangular cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese made with white bread. Beside the sandwiches, there are a cluster of green grapes and two ripe strawberries, all set against a rustic tabletop. — Refreshing Cucumber Sandwiches

Final Thoughts About This Cucumber Sandwich Recipe With Cream Cheese

Whether you’re hosting an elegant tea party, a relaxed brunch with friends, or simply seeking a moment of quiet indulgence for yourself, these refreshing cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese are the perfect lite bite. Have you made it before? How do you like to serve them? Let’s chat more about it in the comments below.

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Enjoy your day! xo