Pin this Delightfully fresh and visually charming, these whimsical finger sandwiches layer cool cucumber and herbed cream cheese in a festive tree shape—perfect for parties, afternoon teas, or kid-friendly gatherings.
These delightful sandwiches bring joy to my family gatherings every time I serve them, making snack time special and fun.
Ingredients
- Bread: 12 slices white or whole wheat sandwich bread
- Cream Cheese Mixture: 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened, 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped, 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Vegetables: 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced into rounds
- Garnishes (optional): Red bell pepper, diced (for tree ornaments), Fresh dill fronds or chives (for tree trunks or branches)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, chives, dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Step 2:
- Using a tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut tree shapes out of each bread slice (save scraps for breadcrumbs).
- Step 3:
- Spread a generous layer of the herbed cream cheese mixture onto each bread tree.
- Step 4:
- Arrange cucumber slices in overlapping layers to mimic tree branches.
- Step 5:
- Garnish with diced red bell pepper as ornaments and use dill fronds or chive pieces as tree trunks or extra greenery.
- Step 6:
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.
Pin this My family loves gathering around the table to assemble these creative tree stacks, making every snack time a cherished memory.
Required Tools
Tree-shaped cookie cutter (approx 3 4 inches tall), Small mixing bowl, Spatula or butter knife, Sharp knife, Cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten), Milk (dairy). Check cream cheese and bread labels for additional allergens if necessary.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 110, Total Fat: 6 g, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 3 g per sandwich
Pin this Enjoy making these fun and fresh tree stacks as a healthy snack or party treat that everyone will love.
Recipe Questions
- → What type of bread works best for these stacks?
Soft sandwich bread, either white or whole wheat, is ideal for easy cutting and layering.
- → Can I substitute the herbs in the cream cheese mixture?
Yes, parsley, basil, or mint can be used to vary the flavor according to preference.
- → How should the cucumber be prepared for best results?
Thinly slice the cucumber into rounds to create overlapping layers that resemble tree branches.
- → Can these stacks be made ahead of time?
They can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving to maintain freshness.
- → Are there options to accommodate dietary restrictions?
For a vegan version, plant-based cream cheese can replace dairy-based cream cheese.