Description
A classic, elegant recipe for delicate cucumber finger sandwiches perfect for afternoon tea, featuring thinly sliced cucumbers, softened unsalted butter, and soft white bread.
Ingredients
- White bread, crusts removed (thin-sliced, soft sandwich bread like Pullman loaf preferred)
- English cucumbers, peeled and sliced paper-thin
- Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- Sea salt or fine salt, to lightly season cucumber slices
- Freshly ground white pepper (optional)
- Fresh herbs like dill or mint, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cucumbers by peeling and slicing them thinly, about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. Place slices in a bowl, sprinkle lightly with sea salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Pat dry the cucumber slices gently with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth to keep the bread crisp.
- Lay out white sandwich bread slices and trim off the crusts carefully with a sharp knife. Using a rolling pin, gently flatten each slice without squashing.
- Spread a thin, even layer of softened unsalted butter on one side of each bread slice to act as a moisture barrier.
- Sprinkle cucumber slices with freshly ground white pepper and, if using, finely chopped fresh herbs like dill or mint.
- Arrange cucumber slices evenly over half of the buttered bread slices. Top with the remaining slices, butter side down, to complete each sandwich.
- Cut each sandwich diagonally into three slender fingers, approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) wide, using a sharp knife.
- Place sandwiches on a serving platter, cover with a clean tea towel, and chill in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Salting and drying cucumber slices is essential to prevent soggy sandwiches. Use softened but not melted butter as a moisture barrier. Slightly firm day-old bread slices are easier to slice thinly without tearing. Chill sandwiches before serving to meld flavors and firm bread. Variations include adding fresh herbs, cream cheese, or using gluten-free or vegan substitutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3 sandwich fin
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 19
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 2.5
Keywords: cucumber finger sandwiches, afternoon tea, Regency era, easy sandwich recipe, elegant snack, cucumber sandwich