Mini Cucumber Sandwiches

This easy recipe for Mini Cucumber Sandwiches features fresh dill, Italian dressing mix, and cream cheese on pumpernickel bread. These sandwiches are perfect for a party!

mini pumpernickel bread topped with cream cheese and a cucumber slice, topped with a sprig of fresh dill.

This vintage recipe for Mini Cucumber Sandwiches is perfect for a potluck!

I personally enjoyed the tea sandwiches at church potlucks in the 1990s. But the recipe dates back much further, with American variations of it appearing as far back as the early 1900s.

The British have been serving cucumber sandwiches for even longer, though theirs are spread with butter. The American version is typically served on a brown bread, such as pumpernickel or rye, and spread with a seasoned cream cheese.

The little cocktail sandwich bread is perfect for this (just like in these Hanky Panky Appetizers).

For these Cucumber Sandwiches, we’ll make an easy spread using cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Italian salad dressing mix. Then, we’ll smear it on mini pumpernickel (also called cocktail bread), and top it with a slice of cucumber and a sprig of fresh dill.

mini cucumber sandwiches on a glass platter.

If you love little party sandwiches, don’t miss my Hawaiian Roll Sliders recipe!

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Ingredients

ingredients for cucumber sandwiches on a white table.
  • The sandwiches are assembled on mini slices of pumpernickel bread (also called cocktail bread). Mini rye bread works, too!
  • The cream cheese mixture is extra delicious with the addition of mayonnaise.
  • Italian dressing mix (such as Good Seasons) flavors the cream cheese.
  • Slices of cucumber get set on top of each open-faced sandwich. You can use a regular cucumber or a seedless cucumber.
  • Sprigs of fresh dill are the finishing touch. You can use dried dill if you don’t have fresh dill.

Peeling the cucumber

First of all, you don’t HAVE to peel a cucumber. Just wash the cucumber well, and the skin is perfectly edible.

However, I think a partially peeled cucumber makes for a really nice presentation on these sandwiches.

To partially peel the cucumber, run a vegetable peeler down the entire length of the cucumber, taking off about one-quarter inch.

Turn the cucumber 45°F and run the vegetable peeler down the cucumber again. Repeat twice more to create four peeled sections around the cucumber.

partially peeled cucumber on a wooden board next to a vegetable peeler.

Then, slice the cucumber into one-quarter inch slices with a sharp knife. If the ends are particularly small, remove those and save them for another use (like snacking on them!).

How to make cucumber sandwiches

Place the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Italian dressing mix in a large bowl. Beat on medium with an handheld mixer until smooth.

Tip: if you don’t have time to soften the cream cheese, follow these softening instructions using either the microwave method or the cube method.

cream cheese mixture with a handheld mixer in a glass bowl.

Next, lay out the slices of pumpernickel bread on a flat surface. Spread the slices with 1–2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. I like using an offset spatula for this step.

Top the cream cheese with one slice of cucumber, and then top each cucumber slice with a sprig of fresh dill. If you don’t have fresh dill, you can lightly sprinkle the cucumber slices with dried dill.

mini cucumber sandwiches on a wooden board, each topped with fresh dill.

That’s it! Your mini cucumber tea sandwiches are ready to serve.

Can cucumber sandwiches be made ahead?

These mini cucumber sandwiches are best made an hour or two before serving. However, you can make the cream cheese mixture up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it and refrigerate it, and then bring it to room temperature before spreading it on the bread slices.

Once you assemble the sandwiches, keep them tightly covered with plastic wrap and refrigerate before serving. I recommend that they be eaten within a few hours, otherwise the bread will start to dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a mini loaf of pumpernickel bread?

The bread aisle of your local grocery store should have miniature loaves of pumpernickel bread. The loaves measure about 2 inches by 2 inches. If it’s not in the bread aisle, check the bakery section.

Where do I find Italian dressing mix?

Italian dressing mix can be found in the salad dressing aisle of your local grocery store. It comes in a packet. A popular brand is called Good Seasons.

Can I use dried dill instead of fresh dill?

Yes! If you don’t have fresh dill, gently sprinkle the cucumber slices with dried dill instead.

How do I make my own Italian salad dressing mix?

Here’s a recipe for a homemade version of Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make gluten-free cucumber sandwiches, use a gluten-free bread and make your own salad dressing mix (the Good Seasons mix contains gluten).

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

To make this recipe dairy-free, use a dairy-free cream cheese. Also, check the label on the bread, just to be sure!

single mini cucumber open faced sandwich topped with a dill sprig.

Variations

  • Use cocktail rye bread instead of pumpernickel.
  • Substitute sandwich bread for the cocktail bread (cut it into quarters first).
  • Instead of making the cream cheese mixture, you can substitute a container of veggie flavored cream cheese.
  • Use cookie cutters to cut the cucumber slices into shapes. Shamrocks would be fun for St. Patrick’s Day, or little trees for Christmas!

How to store cucumber sandwiches

These cucumber sandwich appetizers are best eaten on the day that they are made, within a few hours of assembling them.

Store any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. I wouldn’t necessarily serve them to guests the following day, but I’ve definitely enjoyed them myself on day 2!

close up of open faced cucumber sandwiches on pumpernickel bread.

What to serve with mini cucumber sandwiches

This Mini Cucumber Sandwich recipe is perfect for a potluck, baby shower, bridal shower, and more. I love the idea of them for a Tea Party Baby Shower!

They look gorgeous on either a white platter or a glass platter. Here are few other fun appetizers to serve with them:

Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!



📖 Recipe

open faced mini cucumber sandwiches on pumpernickel, topped with a dill sprig.

Cucumber Sandwiches

Published by Kate
These old fashioned party sandwiches are perfect for a potluck, luncheon, bridal shower, baby shower, and more!
4.78 from 22 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 20 servings
Calories 47 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ package Good Seasons Italian dressing mix (about 1 tablespoon)
  • Mini loaf of pumpernickel bread (rye works, too)
  • 1 English cucumber, sliced
  • Handful of fresh dill (or substitute dried dill)

Instructions
 

  • Place the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Italian dressing mix in a large bowl. Mix with a hand mixer on medium until combined and the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto each piece of mini rye bread.
  • Top each piece with a cucumber slice, and then garnish with a sprig of fresh dill.

Video

Notes

You can substitute dried dill for the fresh dill. Sprinkle a light dusting of dried dill on top of the cucumbers in place of the fresh dill.
The sandwiches are best served within 1–2 hours of assembling (otherwise, the bread will get hard). If you make them ahead, cover the platter with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Nutrition

Calories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 165mgPotassium: 76mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 24IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cucumber sandwiches
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