Cream cheese, fresh dill, chives, diced English cucumbers and a little mayo create a rich and creamy sandwich spread (also known as Kentucky Benedictine) for the best cucumber sandwiches you’ll ever make. This classic finger sandwich recipe is perfect for bridal and baby showers, brunches, Mother’s Day and an absolute Kentucky Derby party must!
These are not only the best, but the prettiest little cucumber tea sandwiches around! I love to make them with a dark, thinly sliced pumpernickel bread for eye catching color contrast instead of the traditional crustless white bread. Topping them with a half of strawberry and an extra slice of cucumber makes them a party appetizer everyone wants to have on their plate!
Related Recipe: Strawberry Cream Cheese Sandwiches
But wait! Cucumber cream cheese sandwiches aren’t just for tea and showers. Their fresh crunch and smooth creaminess begs to be enjoyed as an easy, but completely special lunch any day of the week!
And it’s a perfect cucumber recipe for the abundance of summer cukes from your kitchen garden, not to mention a great spread for veggies, crackers and warm naan  (add it to your spring & summer charcuterie?).
Cucumber Tea Sandwich Ingredients
- cream cheese
- English cucumber
- chives
- fresh dill
- real mayonnaise
- salt
- coarse ground black pepper
- loaf of thinly sliced pumpernickel (or your favorite cocktail bread)
How to Make The Best Cucumber Sandwiches
Prep the ingredients. Peel and finely dice the English cucumber. Cut the chives and dill and make sure the cream cheese is soft (at room temp).
Make the filling. Combine cream cheese and mayo. Add diced cucumbers, chives, dill, salt & pepper and stir well. (I use a fork to combine these ingredients.)
Assemble the sandwiches. If using regular sized bread slices, cut slices into halves, quarters or triangles. Generously top each slice of bread with cucumber cream cheese filling. Top with another slice of bread or leave open-faced. If you like, garnish with a slice of cucumber, sprig of dill and/or a slice of strawberry for extra color.
How To Keep My Cucumber Sandwiches from Getting Soggy
Cucumber sandwiches don’t get soggy with this recipe! Here’s why:
- This Benedictine sandwich recipe uses English cucumbers (which have low seed and water content).
- Finely diced cucumbers completely wrapped in an herby cream cheese mixture fill these sandwiches instead of layers cucumber slices which can weep and cause excess moisture.
- The cream cheese to cucumber ratio keeps the moisture locked in.
Tips for Add-ins & Variations
- Thinly sliced salmon or ham is the perfect salty, savory addition to these cool and creamy cucumber sandwiches.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice for an extra punch of flavor.
- A bagel loaded up with this cucumber cream cheese sandwich filling is to die for!
- To serve this spread as a dip with crackers or a snappy veggie  crudité, add a little sour cream to thin it out a little and make it more dippable.
- Some Benedictine recipes even add a small drop of green food coloring for more color contrast.
Making Cucumber Sandwiches Ahead Of Time
The cucumber sandwich spread is ideal for making ahead of time. The cream cheese and mayo just become infused with the flavors of cucumber and fresh herbs if made the day before and refrigerated, making the spread even more heavenly and decadent than before!
I do prefer to assemble the sandwiches the day I serve them because the bread is softer and fresher tasting on a just-made sandwich than if cut, stacked and refrigerated 24 hours before. And let’s face it, bread is an important part of any sandwich!
What to Serve with Benedictine Cucumber Sandwiches
For Kentucky Derby parties, bridal and baby showers and all kinds of brunches and luncheons, this menu is always a winner!
- Strawberry Asparagus Salad
- BLT Quiche
- Ham Biscuit Sliders with Pineapple Pepper Jelly
- Southern Pimento Cheese Ball
- Louisiana Shrimp & Crab Deviled Eggs
- Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Champagne Julep Punch
Other Sandwich & Sandwich Spread Recipes To Make:
- Ultimate Farmhouse Egg Salad
- Southern Chopped Ham Salad
- Tasty Lemon Chicken Salad
- Southern Shrimp Salad Roll
- The Best Jalapeno Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temp
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 Cup finely chopped English cucumber
- 1/4 Cup chopped chives
- 1/4 Cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- loaf of thinly sliced pumpernickel or cocktail bread
Instructions
- Peel and finely dice the English cucumber. Cut the chives and dill and make sure the cream cheese is soft (at room temp).
- Combine cream cheese and mayo. Add diced cucumbers, chives, dill, salt & pepper and stir well. (I use a fork to combine these ingredients.)
- If using regular sized bread slices, cut slices into halves, quarters or triangles. Generously top each slice of bread with cucumber cream cheese filling. Top with another slice of bread or leave open-faced. If you like, garnish with a slice of cucumber, sprig of dill and/or a slice of strawberry for extra color.
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