Cucumber Finger Sandwiches (Perfect for Tea Parties!)

These easy cucumber finger sandwiches are the perfect appetizer for a tea party, baby shower, bridal shower, Mother’s Day brunch or afternoon tea.

Made with soft white bread, crisp cucumber slices and a creamy, flavorful cream cheese filling, these picture perfect sandwiches are simple to make but look beautiful on a serving plate.

It’s back to school time and we’re loving this recipe for the lunch box! Kids love the soft white bread, mild flavor and no crust. 

Why We Love This Recipe

• So easy to make. This easy recipe requires just a few simple ingredients you can find at the grocery store.
• Perfect for entertaining. Cucumber finger sandwiches make elegant finger foods for a baby shower, bridal shower, tea party or Mother’s Day brunch.
• Fresh and flavorful. Fresh herbs add a ton of flavor to the tangy cream cheese filling.
• Beautiful on a platter. Remove the crusts and cut the sandwiches into small squares or triangles for a pretty platter.
• Easy to customize. Use different herbs, bread or cucumbers to create your own herbed cucumber sandwiches.
• Light but satisfying. Crisp cucumber slices and a creamy filling create a delightful texture in every bite.

What Are Finger Sandwiches?

Finger sandwiches are small sandwiches designed to be eaten easily with your hands. They’re traditionally served as part of afternoon tea and are usually made with soft bread, a thin layer of filling, and served in delicate, bite-sized portions. 

Cucumber tea sandwiches are one of the most classic varieties. Traditionally, they feature thin slices of cucumber between slices of soft white sandwich bread with a creamy spread. They’re often made without crusts and cut into small squares, rectangles or triangles.

Ingredients

• White bread. Good ol’ Wonder bread is my go-to choice for tea sandwiches.
• English cucumber. I recommend this instead of a regular cucumber because of its delicate skin and smaller seeds. 
• Cream cheese. Be sure that it’s at room temperature.
• Mayonnaise. This will add a tangy component to the cream cheese spread. 
• Fresh chives
• Fresh dill
• Kosher salt

How to Make Cucumber Finger Sandwiches

Make the Cream Cheese Filling

Use a handheld mixer or a stand mixer to beat the cream cheese, mayo and kosher salt.

Then, mince the chives and dill and fold them into the cream cheese mixture.

Slice the Cucumber

Because the skin of an English cucumber is pretty thin, you don’t have to peel it if you don’t want to. I like to partially peel the cucumber because I like the look of it.

You can do this by peeling alternating sections of the cucumber and leaving the other sections unpeeled. 

Then, thinly slice the cucumber. 

Assemble the Sandwiches

Start by spreading the cream cheese mixture onto the bread. Then, arrange the cucumbers either in a single layer or shingled, according to your preference.

Top the cucumbers with another slice of bread. 

Then, trim the crusts with a sharp knife. At this point, you can cut the sandwich into your preferred shapes. 

Variations

• Try different cucumbers: English cucumbers are my go-to, but Persian cucumbers work well too. Regular cucumbers can also be used if you remove some of the seeds and excess moisture.
• Change the herbs: Fresh dill is classic, but try parsley, tarragon, basil or a combination of fresh herbs.
• Make them extra savory: Add a little garlic powder, black pepper, or finely minced shallot to the cream cheese filling.
• Use different bread: Soft white bread is traditional, but pumpernickel bread makes a delicious and slightly more substantial version.
• Add lemon: A little fresh lemon juice can give the filling a bright flavor that pairs beautifully with cucumber.

Serving Suggestions

​1. Afternoon tea. Serve these finger sandwiches as part of a spread of scones, pastries, petit fours and other tea party favorites. 

2. School lunch. Cut into fun shapes and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. 

3. Brunch. Serve along with fruits, salads and other finger foods for Mother’s Day, birthdays or showers. 

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make Ahead: Prepare these sandwiches up to several hours in advance, but for best results, serve them the same day you prepare them. You can make the cream cheese filling up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Be sure to let it soften at room temperature for easier spreading. 

Storage: Leftover cucumber finger sandwiches will last for 2-3 days, if properly stored. Arrange them in an airtight container in between layers of parchment paper and refrigerate.

Do I need to salt the cucumbers?

If you’re using English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers, I usually find that simply blotting them is enough. These varieties tend to have fewer seeds and less water than regular garden cucumbers.

If you are using regular cucumbers, salting can help draw out some of the extra moisture. Simply place the cucumber slices in a single layer, sprinkle them lightly with salt, and let them sit for about 10–15 minutes.

Then gently blot away the moisture with paper towels.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

You can absolutely use dried herbs instead of fresh ones, although fresh herbs will give the sandwiches a brighter flavor and prettier look.

You’ll need half of the amount of dried herbs as fresh herbs, so adjust your measurements accordingly.

Tips for the Best Cucumber Finger Sandwiches

• Choose the best cucumbers you can find. English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers are good choices.
• Use soft bread, but avoid bread that’s so delicate that it falls apart when spread. Refrigerating the bread first helps.
• Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before mixing.
• Use a sharp knife to create clean, even edges.
• Spread a generous amount of filling all the way to the edges.
• Keep the sandwiches covered with plastic wrap before serving so the bread doesn’t dry out.
• For best results, assemble the sandwiches shortly before serving.
• If you’re preparing them for a party, keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to put them on the serving plate.

When you make these cucumber finger sandwiches, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more sandwich recipes, try these:

• Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
• Chicken Caesar Sandwich
• Turkey BLT Wrap