While visiting London, I discovered that Cucumber Tea Sandwiches are my absolute favorite. They are simple, elegant and don’t require anything out of the ordinary to create. As Giuliana Orme will tell you – they epitomize the concept of an afternoon tea.
I made a batch of them over the weekend for a Downton Abbey viewing party. They were sublime and a little dangerous to tell you the truth! I mean one minute they are there and the next gone. Even the kids had their hands on them.
As I keep hinting, these cucumber tea sandwiches are craveable and refreshing.
Giuliana shared a few tricks with me and it starts with having the right equipment, good bread, and room temperature butter.
Here are a few things you will need to have on hand to make Cucumber Tea Sandwiches.
Mandoline (or some sort of slicing attachment on a food processor) – A mandoline is the best way to get your cucumbers sliced thin. The texture of the sandwich is better with layers of thinly sliced cucumbers verses a thick slice of a cucumber.
Bread – Make sure you buy a really good-quality thin sliced bread. You will need to get thinnest of the medium sliced bread.
Butter – It’s very important to have your butter at room temperature so that it is easy to spread.
Sharp Bread Knife – this will make all the difference when you are cutting the crusts off and slicing them into tiny sandwiches. You will need to make sure your bread knife is sharp, if it isn’t take it to get sharpened.
Spreading Knife – A small frosting spatula will work or choose a knife that has the roundest and widest blade.
Other recipes you will enjoy with the Cucumber Tea Sandwiches: Devonshire Cream Scones!, Egg Salad Finger Sandwiches, & Victoria Sponge Cake.
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Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Sandwhiches
Ingredients
- 4 thin slices of white bread
- Softened Butter
- 1/2 Cucumber (peeled if you prefer) thinly sliced
Instructions
- Cut the crusts off the bread.
- Spread with softened butter, making sure you go right up to the edges.
- Place the slices of cucumber on 2 slices of bread.
- Place the other two slices of bread on top.
- Cut into small squares or oblongs.
- Arrange on a plate, using halved slices of cucumber to decorate as you wish.
Notes
- You can season the cucumber if you wish but I prefer it without any seasoning. The freshness of the cucumber really comes through and the butter sets if off nicely.
- If you cut them like I did in the picture oblong then this recipe makes 6 Cucumber Tea Sandwiches.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Here are few snapshots of the process:
sliced cucumbers and bread
Quick Assembly of Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
8 Comments
dina
January 24, 2014 at 9:38 amthese look like a yummy snack!
Carrie Pacini
January 24, 2014 at 9:45 amThanks Dina, it does make for a great snack too.
joanne
June 19, 2014 at 3:41 pmThis is actually my first tea party? My sisters and I are giving our sister in law a bridle shower. We are going all out with the dress and hats. I can’t wait! I’ve heard about these cucumber tea sandwiches that I’ m gonna give your receipe a try. Wish us luck and that she has the best bridle shower she’ll always remember! It looks simple and easy. Thanks.
Carrie Pacini
June 19, 2014 at 4:04 pmHi Joanne, Good luck on the Bridal Tea.
Mira
July 28, 2014 at 10:06 pmThey look so light and elegant!
Erin
August 18, 2014 at 11:57 amMy mom would buy regular bread and roll it out with a rolling pin to get it the right thinness!
Carrie Pacini
August 18, 2014 at 12:09 pmHi Erin, that’s a great idea if you can’t find the thinner bread.
JoAnne S.
August 25, 2018 at 11:16 pmMy father used to make these except he used a light spreading of salad dressing instead of butter. He also used tomatoes sometimes instead of cucumbers. Both are great on a hot day.