Last summer I stopped by a friend’s house to pick some fresh basil and she served afternoon tea and cucumber sandwiches. The sandwiches weren’t much more than a slice of cucumber on bread, but they were so refreshing and tasty on a hot summer day. These simple cucumber sandwiches were the inspiration for this cucumber crostini with cream cheese.
A crostini is like a small bruschetta. Both use a type of toasted bread with some type of topping. This cucumber crostini can be made as a small, open-faced crostini sandwich or a bite-sized appetizer. They are nothing more than seasoned cream cheese, a cucumber and slices of a good quality, toasted bread – a quick light lunch or snack.
I use an artisan type sourdough or Italian baguette. To the cream cheese I add roasted garlic (or a garlic substitute), a little dill weed, lime, and black pepper. Once spread on the toasted bread, the cream cheese is topped with slices of cold cucumber and some spicy seasoning. It’s the roasted garlic and chile powder that make this crostini a special and delightful bite.
Cucumber and Cream Cheese Crostini
An easy light lunch that is crunchy, creamy and a little spicy. You can also make appetizers using smaller pieces of bread.
*See Kitchen Notes for substitutions, more information and related links.
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. dried dill weed
- 1 large roasted garlic clove* smashed and chopped or 1⁄4 tsp. garlic paste or 1/8 tsp. garlic
- juice from 1/4 of a lime
- Italian or sourdough bread, sliced into four 1⁄2” slices*
- a touch of butter
- 1/2 cucumber, peeled (if desired), sliced about 1/4" thick
- sea salt
- Red Chile powder or smoked paprika
- dried dill weed
In a small bowl mixed together the cream cheese, black pepper, dill weed, garlic and lime juice. Taste and adjust to your preference. I sometimes add more garlic or dill.
Lightly toast the bread slices on a hot griddle with a little butter on one side. Lightly toast the other side without butter, just enough to make it a little crunchy.
Spread about 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture on each slice depending on the size of the slice.
Top with a few slices of cucumber, a sprinkling of sea salt, some chile powder and a little more dried dill. Enjoy!
Bread – You can use just about any bread you want. I prefer an artisan bread, sourdough, or Italian baguette. Something with a nice crust, but not too tough.
Chile powder – Chile powder (with an “e”) provides a little kick in every bite. If you don’t want spicy, you can use paprika or smoked paprika, or a combination thereof.
Appetizers – These make great little appetizers for a small party. Just use smaller pieces of bread or, use a cookie cutter and cut out rounds. Toast the bread, spread a little cream cheese on each piece, top with a cucumber slice and some spice.
The citrus salad in the first picture is a simple salad of just a mix of cara cara oranges and Kalamata olives. It is a great complement to the sandwiches! For a little bigger salad you could try my Sweet and Spicy Citrus Salad or Citrus Salad with Maple Dressing.
If you enjoy cucumbers as much as we do, check out this collection of cucumber recipes.
Well these certainly look fun! I love cucumbers and they’re doing well in the garden this year, thankfully. I have never pretended I know everything about food, but do you really mean brochetta? Or did you mean bruschetta? I really like the chile powder on the cucumbers, too.
Thanks Mimi. Yes, I do mean bruschetta. Whoops! Thanks for catching that and bringing it to my attention.
i adore everything about this. We’ve searing the last few days with temps hovering near 100 degrees. What perfect timing to make this gorgeous little treat. Pinning!
i love cukes tho hubby is not so keen. nothing more refreshing than cold cuke soup or a cucumber sandwich. so delightful!
Hi MJ, you aren’t kidding about the heat! Cucumber crostini’s are perfect for a light lunch or brunch. I can imagine this being served at a tea room. Stay cool, it looks like a scorcher this week.
You got that right! It is just too dang hot to cook. Cooling little cucumber sandwiches sound like the perfect light dinner or high tea delight.
Living in Australia small dainty cucumber sandwiches naturally are a must-have for the savoury part of our revered High Tea. Love them and also oft have them for a breakfast treat with my big mug of strong black coffee !! Yours look very moreish and since I oft use cream or cottage cheese instead of butter on bread and wraps . . . shall copy probably by tomorrow morning !!!
We’ve been having a lot of cucumbers lately in salads, but not yet in a sandwich this season. Great reminder — we need to do something like this. Heck, we need to do exactly this! 🙂 Really nice — thanks.
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This make me long for summer! I’m hosting an Iron Chef Mom link party and this week our secret ingredient is cream cheese. I’d love it if you came and linked up this recipe! http://growingupgabel.com/iron-chef-mom-cream-cheese-battle/
Thanks Camille! I will head over right now!
I dont know if ur a professional photographer but u take amazing pics. It looks like I am viewing some food magazine loving it.
Thank you so much for your nice comment Janani! No, I’m not a professional photographer. I consider myself an amateur food photographer, but my husband is a professional photographer, so I have a really, really good teacher! 🙂
Dill and cucumber make a wonderfully refreshing combination! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Hi MJ,
I just love cucumber sandwiches and your recipe looks delicious, it is perfect for a summers afternoon on the porch with a tall glass of iced tea. Hope you are having a great holiday week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
My neighbor just stopped by my house yesterday with a huge bag of cucumbers that her brother grew. I now have a use for them! 🙂 Thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul! Your recipe has been highlighted on my blog this week.
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What a lovely twist on traditional cucumber sandwiches – with a lovely zing as well! These would be perfect for summer entertaining – I can’t wait to try them!
These look really good. I have never had cucumber sandwiches before. I really like the little appetizer ones. Thanks for sharing on Showcase Your Talent Thursday!
Great idea for a cucumber sandwich! Love the addition of the red chile powder.
Those look wonderful! Such a refreshing take on the cucumber sandwich…love it!
Red chile powder…..Yum! I have never had a cucumber sammy with paprika or red chile powder. I am going to try it tomorrow!
This looks so yummy. I like the combination of chili powder with cucumber, refreshing and hot, really brilliant idea. Serve as finger food during party, sure it will be selling fast. 🙂
how simple and refreshing. I love smoked paprika, think I will try this ASAP 😉
I just love cucumbers! This looks so refreshing and delicious…and I love the sprinkle of red red chile powder for garnish…beautiful!
Very elegant and classy. I really like this recipe and I’ve pinned into my favorite recipes board. Thanks for sharing.
I am so tempted by your beautiful presentation and the lovely flavours.
I love cucumber sandwiches with my afternoon tea as they are so refreshing. I like the idea of sprinkling some red pepper on the top to give it a little heat. The appetizer bites are great too!
I could forgo any meal for a simple and healthy sandwich of cucumber..love this crostini..
Great cucumber crostini, love the added spice! perfect for a cool evening on the porch!
love this recipe! It’s simple, healthy and delish!
MJ, your initial photo was so captivating that I was already convinced before scrolling down to the recipe ;-). I’m especially smitten with the line of paprika running down the middle of your cucumber bites. Fabulous!
I haven’t had a cucumber sandwich in ages! And now I want one. With chili powder, please. Because, like you, I like spicy stuff. Really nice pictures. And a really nice post! Thanks.
I love cucumber and can’t wait to try this. Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday 🙂
I love cucumber sandwiches! Thanks for the reminder with the yummy pic.
This looks easy enough to make for me. I love the idea of adding chilli powder. What a pretty looking sandwich.
Gorgeous!!
This looks absolutely lovely…. Such perfectly presented…
I love such light bites in summer…. Refreshing and yummy…
Ooh, this looks so, so delicious! I LOVE cucumber, especially in Summer. My first month in Spain was an economic rough patch, and I happily lived off cucumber sandwiches for a few weeks. 🙂
I am addicted to cucumber and, in season or not, I have them all the time on sandwiches as a refreshing, crunchy accent. I am sure your sandwiches tasted great. They look beautiful too!
I actually have never tried cucumber sandwiches either but now I really need to try them with this fancy version of yours! 🙂
Mmm, looks delicious!
Cucumber sandwiches are one of my favorite simple lunches – it’s light and healthy and always makes me feel better about eating dessert afterwards!
I love cucmber sandwiches. I usually eat mine with labaneh.
I love how colorful and vibrant your pictures and sandwiches are
Wow, that looks fresh and very healthful and the vibrant spring colors are amazing. I love those little bites.
I love the simplicity and I actually really like cucumber sandwiches. The cream cheese spread with the dip sounds wonderful.
A super party appetizer or lovely brunch side on a warm spring day. I quite love the spices you´ve included, MJ. As always, I leave your blog inspired by the recipes and photography.
Ohhhh MJ!! These look divine! I too had never had cucumber sandwiches until a few months ago when I went out for high tea with some friends. There was so much food that I was going to pass on them… but then HAD to try one! And I was so glad I did! Delicious! And my 2 year old loves cucumber… I will have to make them for her (sans chile)! 🙂
There is something waiting for you here: http://www.manusmenu.com/pastiera-napoletana
Happy Easter!
I think that warning should be a bit bigger and bolder, because they sure look addictive!! In fact, they look beyond just that! I LOVE cucumber on it’s own, so this is like heavenly food for me! 😀 Cream cheese… cucumber… bread… Oh, a match made in heaven it is!
Cute little cucumber sandwich.
What a wonderful way to jazz up the humble cucumber sandwich and darn, I wish I had your friend – oh to be able to just “stop by” and gather a big pile of fresh basil!
Those look addictive indeed! I’m sure there’s a nice texture contrast between the soft bread and crunchy cucumber.
Nicely presented and love this light and spicy sandwich!
I love those little cucumber tea sandwiches that places sometime served but have never made a version at home. Excellent addition of the spice to really take it up a bit.
These are gorgeous little crostini and look so refreshing. They make me want to host a tea party so I can serve them. 🙂
Hi MJ! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment! Love, love, love me some cucumber sandwiches! I’ve never made them on toasted bread, but it sounds absolutely delicious and the appetizer rounds would be perfect for my Easter brunch this weekend! Loving the addition of the chili powder, too, but I’ll have to use a mild chili powder and/or the smoked paprika on half of them and the spicy/hot on the rest. Hubbs is the one with the asbestos tongue in our family… the rest of us are total wimps. ;~) Thanks a million for the great recipe and for the brunch idea! Hope you have an awesome weekend! ~Mary
MJ these look wonderful and refreshing. Beautiful presentation too. Hope you are having a lovely week.
Super easy and incredibly tasty! I’ll make them as soon as I’ll have the usual ton of cucumber in my garden 🙂 Unfortunately I don’t eat them a lot (I have some problems in digesting them), but my mom will be glad.. she loves them! 🙂
SImple yet so tasty! I love your presentation!
You just took the simple cucumber sandwich up a notch! This looks irresistible MJ!
This is beautiful!!! I like both way… both beautifully presented. I like sandwiches with cream cheese and cucumbers but this looks much better!
Wow.. these look really fabulous! I love cucumbers and I bet with all the cream cheese and seasoning they were fantastic on the crostini. 🙂 Superb pictures too. 🙂
The tiny sandwiches are so cute! I can imagine they would be quite addicting! 🙂
Something about spring makes me yearn for more vegetables and these look quite springy indeed.
I LOVE cucumber sandwiches – I’ve had them a few ways before, but never with chili powder or cream cheese & these sound delicious…