April 23, 2024thetipsyhousewife
A Delightful Spring Platter
These Cucumber Cream Cheese Open-Faced Sandwiches feature delicate cucumber slices topped with creamy herbed cream cheese served on rye bread paired with vibrant spinach dip. A refreshing and elegant appetizer perfect for spring gatherings!
This is the snack board you did not know you needed.
This combination makes the perfect pair. It not only tastes great, but looks festive as well!
There is a full, printable recipe card at the end of this post. You can hit the print button for the recipe to come up on one screen. From there you can screenshot it to save to your phone.
I also have added a Pinterest button that you can use to save this recipe to your Pinterest page. If you would like to follow me on Pinterest, you can find me there asThe Tipsy Housewife.
Below I have included some information regarding the ingredients. There are also techniques to help those who may need more clarification.
Marinate Those Cucumbers
I had always made these cream cheese sandwiches with just plain cucumbers. Then one day a lightbulb went off and I thought to myself “why am i not marinating these cucumbers for added flavor?”
Marinating the cucumbers adds an extra layer of flavor and the juice left over adds great flavor to the cream cheese.
In my recipe I use onions and or chives from time to time, but this is totally optional. I think the addition of the onions adds flavor to the cream cheese and some crispness to each bite.
If you do not want the chunks of onions, you can use the onion juice that I use in my Veggie Pizza Appetizer.
Buttermilk Powder
Buttermilk powder is the ingredient that has been hiding in plain sight from you for decades. This is easily found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
If you absolutely cannot find it, there are many brands on Amazon. I also use this buttermilk powder in my French Quarter Dressing and my Roasted Chicken.
Where IS The Rye?!
This cocktail rye has been very hard to find for some. I know that for some reason Pepperidge Farm stopped making it which seems crazy.
A local Chicago brand called S. Rosens still makes this bread. I find it at most local Chicago stores, usually by the deli.
They used to do mail order but it seems they stopped. If you cannot find this party bread, buy a more dense rye bread and just cut the slices into squares.
It will still be delicious.
Spinach Dip
The spinach dip makes the perfect pairing to these cucumber sandwiches. I like to present them together because the spinach dip also goes swimmingly on top of the cucumber sandwiches.
I use this Knorr packet to make the Spinach Dip. I noticed that Knorr no longer puts the Spinach Dip recipe on their packet which is so curious to me.
I always fancied it up, so I included this recipe for you on the recipe card. The packet is pictured below.
I find this in every single grocery store, usually by the gravy.
Your guests will love this delicious yet light appetizer for events like bridal showers and garden parties!
Yield: 12 to 15 Party Servings
Cream Cheese Cucumber Sandwiches with Creamy Spinach Dip
Cucumber cream cheese open-faced sandwiches: Delicate cucumber slices topped with creamy herbed cream cheese, served on rye bread, paired with vibrant spinach dip. A refreshing and elegant appetizer perfect for spring gatherings!
Ingredients
- For The Cucumber Sandwiches
- 1 Large Seedless Cucumber
- 1/4 cup of rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon of celery salt
- 1/2 tablespoon of dill
- 1/2 tablespoon of buttermilk powder (optional) *see post for description
- 1 small sweet onion sliced very thin (optional)
- 1/4 cup of thinly slice chives (optional)
- 1 package of Party Rye (see post for alternative options for this bread)
- 2 packages of cream cheese softened
- Dried Dill for Garnish
- For The Spinach Dip
- 1 10 ounce frozen box of spinach (thaw and drain well)
- 1 16 ounce container of sour cream
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 package of Knorr Vegetable Recipe Dip Mix *see post for description
- 3 green onions sliced thin
- 1 small can of water chestnuts chopped finely
- 1 tablespoon of pickle juice
- 1/2 tablespoon of buttermilk powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper
- 1/4 cup of VERY finely diced carrots (optional)
- 1 whole cucumber sliced up for dipping
- pita chips for dipping
Instructions
For The Cream Cheese Sandwiches
- Slice your cucumber thinly but not paper thin. If you are using onions and chives, slice them thinly and them to a bowl with the cucumbers.
- In a bowl, add you rice wine vinegar, celery seed, celery salt, dill, and buttermilk powder and whisk until well combined. Add this to the cucumbers and optional onions. Toss well to coat and let this hang out in the fridge for one hour or up to 4 hours.
- When ready to assemble the sandwiches, drain the liquid from the cucumbers and reserve this liquid. Keep your cucumbers (and potential onions) cold until ready to serve.
- Soften your cream cheese and add it to a bowl and beat it on high with a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip until light anf fluffy.
- Lower the speed and slowly add some of the cucumber juice liquid to the cream cheese mixture. You will have to eye ball this and make sure it is incorporated into the the cream cheese without making it liquid or watery. You want this still spreadable texture. So just add a little at a time and whip. I usually do not end up using all the liquid. I save it for a light salad dressing.
- If you are using the party bread, or the alternative, spread the cream cheese on each slice, I like to use a decent amount to make it look nice.
- Top each square with a marinated cucumber and or the chives and onions and then a sprinkle of dill.
- Serve immediately with the Spinach Dip on the side to top the cucumber sandwiches if preferred.
For The Spinach Dip
- Thaw and drain your spinach very well. I use a mesh colander.
- In a bowl, add the mayo and add the pickle juice, buttermilk powder, and lemon pepper. Mix well.
- Add the Knorr packet to the sour cream and mix well to combine.
- Combine the sour cream and mayo mixture then add the carrots, water chestnuts and green onions. *make sure your carrots are very finely minced, you can also grate them.
- Fold in your spinach. Mix this well and let this hang out in the fridge overnight if possible, but it can also be served right away in a pinch.
Interested in another great light recipe? My Stuffed Celery Appetizer is just the ticket.
