Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you make cucumber sandwiches the night before? ›

I do not recommend making these sandwiches to completion a day in advance. With all the moisture from the filling and cucumber, white bread can get gummy. The cucumber can be sliced and the cream cheese filling made a day in advance but assemble these sandwiches the day of serving for optimal results.

Plan three to four finger sandwiches per person when serving with a salad as a main dish. If you are incorporating finger sandwiches into an appetizer party menu, you will need one to two of each sandwich per person, depending on the time of day and length of the event.

When ready to serve, trim and cut the sandwiches, then garnish them. They will be easier to cut neatly when chilled. Pepperidge Farm Very Thin Sliced Bread in white or whole wheat works best for making tea sandwiches.

These fancy sandwiches date back to 19th-century India -- the country where cucumbers originated. When British army officers sought sanctuary in tea houses to avoid the sweltering heat, they were served cucumber sandwiches, which kept them hydrated and cool due to the veggie's high water content.

Salt the cucumber ahead of time.

Salt the cucumber and allow them to sit for around 20 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat the slices dry before using them in the sandwiches. I use a similar method in my cucumber salad recipe to help keep the cucumber from becoming soft.

Here's how to keep the bread light and fluffy and the cucumbers crisp! Make sure to spread the cream cheese from edge to edge on the bread. The cream cheese acts as a moisture barrier between the cucumbers and bread. Don't assemble the sandwiches too far ahead.

roughly four little sandwiches per person (2 or 3 kinds); 1 average or 2 small scones: always one with cream and jams/honey; sometimes also one savoury variation.

Allow 3-4 sandwiches per person. But don't prepare them too early as they will either go soggy or dry out.

Ideally, you should aim to make your sandwiches as close to the day of your party as possible for the best flavor and freshness. I recommend making your sandwiches no more than 48hrs in advance for the best flavor come party time.

Tips & Tricks for Tea Sandwiches

Freezing bread before cutting and then spreading makes for easier handling. Bread should be lightly buttered no matter what the filling. Butter should be at room temperature before spreading.

Will cucumber sandwiches go soggy? ›

No, we don't recommend making cucumber sandwiches ahead of time. The moisture from the cucumbers will release and cause the sandwiches to become soggy. It's best to serve cucumber sandwiches the day you make them. You can make the cream cheese mixture ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to one day.

The sandwich originated in the United Kingdom, and modern variants, largely of United States origin, introduce cream cheese, mayonnaise, chopped dill or spices, and salmon, and may substitute brown bread. One specific US variant includes benedictine, a green soft spread made from cucumbers and cream cheese.

Sliced cucumbers will not last as long as whole, so use them as soon as you can.

If you're pre-slicing cucumbers for a convenient snack throughout the week, do not put them in a plastic bag unless you plan on eating them within the same day. Instead, wrap them in a damp paper towel and then store them in an airtight container for up to five days.

If you're hosting a large event, sandwiches are great because they can be made the day before the event. They're a crowd pleaser, versatile, and cost effective (depending on your fillings). If you've got a large party, it can be easier to make one or two varieties of sandwich.