A tea party, Mother’s Day brunch, baby shower, bridal shower, or any other kind of get-together would not be complete without Pioneer Woman’s Cucumber Sandwiches as an appetizer. They are easy to prepare and delicious, cool, and refreshing.

Pioneer Woman’s Cucumber Sandwiches Recipe

Tea sandwiches made from fresh cucumbers are an ideal treat for a tea party. Thinly sliced cucumbers, a zesty herb spread, and soft, crustless bread are all that is needed for these finger sandwiches.

When the English tradition of afternoon tea began in the 1800s, the upper class enjoyed these miniature sandwiches. In the beginning, they were simply cucumber slices and buttered toast. However, later, Southern women of the United States elevated them by including herbed cream cheese. They are inexpensive, simple to prepare, quick to consume, airy, and delicious, making them a popular choice for parties.

Pioneer Woman’s Cucumber Sandwiches Ingredients

Cucumber tea sandwiches can take numerous forms. You’ll need these ingredients for this Pioneer Woman recipe:

• Bread: You should use sandwich bread that is both fluffy and of great quality, and white in color.
• Cucumber: While any cucumber will suffice, we recommend using English cucumbers because they are “burpless,” contain fewer seeds and water, and don’t need to be peeled before use. You can choose whether or not to peel them (if at all).
• Cream Cheese: Unflavored cream cheese is ideal here. Both full-fat and low-fat versions are acceptable.
• Mayonnaise: The spread is creamier and more flavorful when mayonnaise and cream cheese are combined.
• Herbs: The herbs we use most frequently are dill and chives. Be sure to use fresh herbs as they have better flavor than dried.
• Lemon Juice: The cream cheese is tempered by the sourness of the lemon juice. Again, use fresh.
• Seasonings: Black pepper, kosher salt, and ground garlic powder are the seasonings used in this recipe.

Note: If you’re short on time (or just not feeling particularly motivated), you can always pick up a little tub of herbed cream cheese from the grocery store and let it come to room temperature before using rather than making the flavored cream cheese yourself.

Optional Additions: Since these sandwiches are delicately flavored, it isn’t necessary to add more ingredients but you can add some finely sliced red onion if desired. The cucumbers can be replaced with radishes as well.

How Should You Cut Cucumber Tea Sandwiches?

There are a few different ways you can slice your cucumber tea sandwiches. First, be sure to remove the crusts before buttering them with the spread. Then, you can cut them into your desired shapes.

• Squares: Cut each sandwich in half lengthwise, and then across.
• Triangles: Cut the sandwich diagonally in half, and then cut each diagonal in half.
• Circles: Cut out circles with a biscuit cutter.
• Decorative Shapes: Using cookie cutters, make creative shapes.

Note: You should probably buy some more bread if you plan on cutting out circles or shapes, as they will produce some bread scraps.

Tip: The sandwiches are easier to cut with a sharp Chef’s knife. If you want clean cuts on each sandwich, wipe the knife between slices. A serrated knife will rip the bread, while a dull knife will require too much strain to cut the sandwiches, resulting in the filling oozing out.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Cucumber Sandwiches

• Use a mandolin or sharp knife to peel the cucumber in alternating lines, and then slice it into 1/8-inch thin rounds. Rub the slices with coarse salt and lay them out on paper towels. Wait 15 to 30 minutes until the cucumbers have released their liquid. Use fresh paper towels to pat the cucumber slices dry.
• Using a handheld mixer, beat the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise, dill, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Spread the herbed cream cheese on one side of each bread slice.
• Place cucumber slices on top of half of the bread slices. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Spread cream cheese mixture on top of the remaining bread slices and place them on top. (You will now have eight completed sandwiches.)
• To cut each sandwich in half, cut the sandwiches with a sharp chef’s knife. You will then have a total of 32 tea sandwiches.
• Serve immediately.

What Goes With Cucumber Sandwiches?

Cucumber sandwiches are light, crisp, and refreshing and they complement a wide variety of dishes. Here are a few recommendations for additional party recipes:

• Tuna Salad Nicoise
• Baked Potato Wedges
• Macaroni Salad
• Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
• Orzo Salad With Feta
• Onion Soup
• Tomato Soup
• Pasta Salad with Broccoli
• Chicken Enchilada Soup

How to Keep Cucumber Sandwiches From Getting Soggy

There are a few ways to help prevent your cucumber sandwiches from getting soggy:

• Use English or Persian cucumbers: These varieties have less water in them than conventional waxy cucumbers since the seeds are fewer and smaller.
• Salt the Cucumbers and Let Them Rest: Salt the cucumber slices and set them aside for 30 minutes. Then, pat the cucumber slices dry.
• Create a Barrier: The cream cheese acts as a separator between the bread and the cucumbers when spread on both slices.

Can I Make Cucumber Sandwiches Ahead?

These sandwiches taste best when eaten soon after they’ve been made, or at most within a couple of hours. Don’t get ahead of yourself and make them too far ahead of when you plan to serve them. Sandwiches made with cucumbers can become mushy if they sit for too long.

On the other hand, the cream cheese spread can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, provided it is kept in an airtight container. Then, you can soften it before spreading on the bread. As an additional step, you can remove the bread’s crusts a day in advance. You can also peel and slice the cucumbers ahead, and store them in the fridge.

Pioneer Woman’s Cucumber Sandwich Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 202
• Total Fat 11 g
• Saturated Fat 4.7 g
• Trans Fat 0 g
• Cholesterol 21 mg
• Sodium 313 mg
• Potassium 98 mg
• Total Carbohydrate 20 g
• Dietary Fiber 1.2 g
• Sugars 3.1 g
• Protein 4.7 g
• Vitamin A 5%
• Vitamin C 1%
• Calcium 8%
• Iron 8%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source