Christmas Tree Cucumber Sandwiches

Christmas Tree Cucumber Sandwiches

These no-cook, open-faced sandwiches start with bread cut into Christmas-tree shapes. A thin layer of cream cheese holds overlapping cucumber half-moons in place, while a small red pepper star tops each tree. Soft but sturdy bread and thin, dry cucumber slices make them easier to pick up. Assemble them close to serving time so cucumber moisture does not soften the bread.

Ingredients for Christmas Tree Cucumber Sandwiches

• 8 slices soft but sturdy sandwich bread (about 240g)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (about 1/2 cup; 115g)
• 2 mini cucumbers, or about 1 medium English cucumber (about 200g)
• 1 small piece red bell pepper, enough to cut 8 small stars (about 15g)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill

Use a tree-shaped cutter that fits within a slice of bread, and a small star cutter for the pepper. A small sharp knife also works for cutting the stars.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cucumber Sandwiches

1. Cut the bread: Cut one tree from each slice. Lift the cutouts carefully to keep the pointed tops and tiered edges intact.
2. Prepare the toppings: Slice the cucumber thinly into half-moons and pat the slices dry with paper towels. Cut 8 small stars from the red pepper flesh, sized to fit the tree tips.
3. Spread the cream cheese: If using dill, stir it into the softened cream cheese. Spread a thin, even layer over each bread tree, keeping the outline visible.
4. Add the cucumber branches: Starting near the lower edge, arrange the cucumber in compact, overlapping rows toward the tip. Keep some dark green peel edges facing out and a little of the bread outline visible.
5. Finish and serve: Press a pepper star gently onto the cream cheese near the tip of each tree. Arrange on a platter and serve soon after assembly.

How to Keep the Cucumber Branches in Place

Thin cucumber half-moons sit more securely on the cream cheese than thick slices. Overlap them slightly rather than piling them up, and trim larger English cucumber slices if they extend beyond the bread. The finished trees should be easy to lift without the cucumber sliding off.

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can cut the bread trees and pepper stars and slice the cucumber ahead of time. Keep the components separate, pat the cucumber dry, and assemble close to serving.

If needed, cover the assembled sandwiches tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 day. The cucumber and bread may soften as they sit. For another fresh cucumber appetizer, try Christmas Cucumber Bites with Herb Cream Cheese.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per tree sandwich, based on 8 sandwiches: 135 calories, 4g protein, 6g fat, and 17g carbohydrates. Per 100g: about 190 calories, 5g protein, 8g fat, and 23g carbohydrates. Values vary with the bread and cream cheese used.