Traditional Cucumber Sandwiches

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Traditional cucumber sandwiches are a cool, refreshing, and light summer lunch that will satisfy your hunger but won’t fill you up like a heavy lunch would.

Course Brunch

Cuisine British

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings sandwiches

Calories 444kcal

Author Beth Neels

Cost $5

Ingredients

4 slices bread
1 cucumber
½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt or sea salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
5 tablespoons cream cheese
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
½ teaspoon fresh dill
½ teaspoon fresh chives
1 pinch cracked black pepper

Instructions

Remove the crusts from the bread.
4 slices bread
Slice the cucumber into thin slices. Add them to a bowl with the salt. Dry off the cucumber pieces with a paper towel.
1 cucumber, ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt or sea salt
Soften the cream cheese. Mix it with mayonnaise. If it is soft enough, a wooden spoon or a spatula will work. Otherwise, use a hand mixer. If you are multiplying the recipe for a large gathering, you will want to use a mixer.
5 tablespoons cream cheese, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Add the herbs and mix well
½ teaspoon fresh dill, ½ teaspoon fresh chives, 1 pinch cracked black pepper
Spread a thin layer of butter on two slices of bread. Spread the cream cheese mixture on one side of each piece of bread. Layer the cucumbers on top of the cream cheese.
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally. Then, cut each half in half to make small triangles. You can also cut the sandwiches in half vertically and then cut each half in half again vertically to form 4 rectangles.

Notes

Can You Make the Sandwiches Ahead?

You can prepare the sandwiches ahead of time. The cucumber can be cut, and the cream cheese can be mixed up ahead. You can do this at least a day in advance. Allow enough time before assembling them for the cream cheese to soften again. Also, dry the cukes well if you cut them ahead of time. It is best to assemble the sandwiches right before serving so the bread doesn’t get soggy.

Do you Have to Peel Cucumbers?

Should you peel the cucumbers? Traditionally, the cukes were peeled, but it is not necessary to peel the cucumber. The peel adds additional fiber to the sandwiches, although you can peel them if you prefer.

If using a mandolin to slice the cucumbers, be exceptionally careful. The mandolin is the most dangerous utensil in the kitchen.

Once you cut the sandwiches, guests should be able to pick them up with one hand. They should be cut into 2-3 bite sandwiches.

Serve these easy-to-make sandwiches for a bridal shower or a baby shower. They look pretty stacked on a plate, and they only take a minute to assemble.

The British often served these sandwiches with a splash of malt vinegar.

Nutrition