Christmas Tree Cucumber Sandwiches
Published
Published
Light, fresh, and so easy to make, these Christmas Tree Cucumber Sandwiches are so fun and festive and look beautiful on any party platter. With a creamy herbed filling, crisp cucumber, and soft bread cut into cheerful tree shapes, these little bites are as delicious as they are adorable, perfect for holiday get-togethers.
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I took my popular cucumber sandwiches and put a fun, merry spin on them for Christmas! Alongside my Christmas cheese trees appetizer, kids and grown-ups alike love them. The combination of creamy herbed spread, crisp cucumber, and a pop of red bell pepper for the star just makes them feel special without being complicated or fussy. They’re easy to assemble ahead of time, which makes them perfect for holiday parties, Christmas brunch, or serving alongside a cup of tea while you take a break from all the seasonal bustle.
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Remove excess moisture. If you’re not serving right away, lay the cucumber slices on paper towels, sprinkle with coarse salt, and let them sit 15-30 minutes to pull out moisture, then pat dry. This helps prevent soggy bread later.
- Choose the right bread and cutters. A soft white sandwich bread gives the classic tea-sandwich feel. Use a 3-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter (and a tiny star cutter for the pepper) so your shapes are consistent and cute.
- Stick with high-quality cream cheese and fresh herbs. While you can cheat and buy premade flavored cream cheese, it’s the flavor base of these sandwiches, so I highly recommend sticking to the recipe. The fresher, the better.
Christmas Tree Cucumber Sandwiches
Equipment
- 3-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter
- tiny star cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 16 slices high-quality soft white sandwich bread
- 1-2 red bell peppers, ribs and seeds removed, sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 English cucumber
- 8 ounce brick cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Remove the crusts from the bread slices. Using a 3-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter, cut 2 tree shapes from each slice.
- Using a tiny star cookie cutter, cut 32 stars from the bell pepper.
- Cut the cucumber into 1/8-inch thin slices using a mandolin or sharp knife, then cut each slice in half.
- Make the spread. In a medium bowl, using a handheld mixer, blend together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, minced fresh dill, minced fresh chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, and coarse salt.
- Spread one side of each tree with the herbed cream cheese.
- Arrange the cucumber slices on top of the cream cheese in a shingled fashion.
- Place bell pepper stars at the top of the cucumbers.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use soft white sandwich bread for the classic tea-sandwich texture. Whole wheat or rustic bread will be firmer and can change the look of the tree shape.
- Prevent soggy bread by salting the cucumber slices, letting stand for about 20 minutes, then patting dry before assembling. Also keep the cream cheese spread away from the very edges and serve shortly after assembling.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!How to Make Christmas Tree Cucumber Sandwiches Step by Step
Gather all the ingredients together.
Prepare the bread: Remove the crusts from 16 slices of soft white sandwich bread (about one loaf). Use a 3-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut 2 tree shapes from each slice, making 32 trees in total.
Cut the stars: Slice 1 or 2 red bell peppers in half lengthwise, removing the ribs and seeds. Using a tiny star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 32 small stars for the tree toppers.
Slice the cucumber: Cut 1 English cucumber into thin 1/8-inch slices using a mandoline or sharp knife. Then cut each slice in half to create small half-moon pieces.
Make the herbed spread: In a medium bowl, use a handheld mixer to blend together 8 oz. of softened cream cheese, ¼ cup of mayonnaise, 1 tbsp of minced fresh dill, 1 tbsp of minced fresh chives, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, ¼ tsp of garlic powder, and ¼ tsp of coarse salt. Add cracked black pepper to taste and mix until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the sandwiches: Spread a generous layer of the herbed cream cheese mixture on one side of each bread slice. Arrange the cucumber slices on top of the spread in a shingled pattern to look like layered tree branches.
Add the finishing touch: Place a small red bell pepper star at the top of each tree for decoration.
Serve and enjoy: Arrange the sandwiches on a platter and serve immediately for the freshest flavor and best texture.
Serving Suggestions
These sandwiches make a lovely addition to a holiday tea, a brunch, or as a light appetizer at a Christmas party. I make them for a Christmas brunch with friends and serve them alongside a brioche French toast casserole and an asparagus quiche. They’re also perfect as an appetizer for a holiday lunch or cocktail party with baked brie and caprese skewers.
How to Store Leftovers
You can easily prepare these sandwiches ahead of time to save stress on the day of your gathering. Make the herbed cream cheese spread up to two days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. If you’re assembling later, slice and salt the cucumbers as directed to draw out moisture, then pat them dry before building the sandwiches. Once assembled, keep them covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours. Just long enough to stay fresh without the bread getting soggy.
More Festive Christmas Appetizers
- Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- Pesto Parmesan Star Bread
- Jam and Brie Phyllo Bites
- Crescent Roll Christmas Tree
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!
