Barefoot Contessa Tea Sandwiches

Barefoot Contessa Tea Sandwiches is one of the best and easiest cucumber tea sandwiches to make. This fancy tea sandwich is made with bread, cream cheese, thinly sliced cucumbers, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Serve these high tea sandwiches in the afternoon with a cup of your favorite tea. You can also prepare these sandwiches a night before for convenience. Please feel free to leave your feedback about this ina garten recipe.

What Are Tea Sandwiches 

Tea Sandwiches are traditional British sandwiches made with bread, cream cheese, and thinly sliced cucumbers. These sandwiches are traditionally served with tea during afternoon gatherings. 

Tea Sandwiches Ingredients

• 20 slices of store-bought soft white bread, such as buttermilk bread
• 1 1/4 cups cream cheese, about 10 ounces
• 1 English cucumber, very thinly sliced
• Lemon juice, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Chopped fresh chives, to taste (optional)

How To Make Tea Sandwiches

1. Put 2 pieces of bread on your table and spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese on each piece.
2. Put cucumber slices on one side of the sandwich.
3. Add a bit of lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chives (if you want).
4. Put the other piece of bread on top of the cucumbers, with the cream cheese side touching the cucumbers.
5. Cut off the edges of the sandwich and cut it into 4 small triangle sandwiches. Do the same with the rest of the ingredients.

How To Cut Tea Sandwiches 

The traditional way to cut tea sandwiches is to first remove the crusts from the bread. Then, cut the sandwich diagonally two times. This will give you 4 triangular pieces.

What To Serve With Tea Sandwiches 

Traditionally, Tea Sandwiches are served with afternoon tea, scones, or pastries. But they also pair well with Pea Salad,Celery Soup, or Fruit Salad. Try serving them with a fresh garden salad or a warm cup of soup, it really complements the sandwiches well.

How Many Tea Sandwiches Per Person 

Usually, you should serve around 4 sandwiches per person. So, if you have 10 people, you will need 40 tea sandwiches.

• How Many Tea Sandwiches For 20: For 20 people, you will need 80 tea sandwiches.
• How Many Tea Sandwiches For 30: For 30 people, you will need 120 tea sandwiches.

How To Make Tea Sandwiches Ahead Of Time 

These Tea Sandwiches can be made the night before. Simply slice the cucumber thinly, spread the cream cheese on the bread, and assemble the sandwiches. Then, store them in the fridge. Make sure to wrap them in plastic wrap to keep them fresh. 

The next day, cut off the crusts, slice them into triangles, and serve.

How Do You Keep Tea Sandwiches From Drying Out 

To keep your Tea Sandwiches from drying out, you should wrap them in plastic wrap or put them in an airtight container before storing them in the fridge. This helps to keep the moisture in and the air out.

How To Keep Tea Sandwiches From Getting Soggy 

To keep your Tea Sandwiches from getting soggy, you should drain the cucumber slices for 15 minutes in a colander and pat them dry before using. This removes the excess liquid that can make the bread soggy.

How Long Do Tea Sandwiches Last

After you prepare the tea sandwiches, they can last about 24 hours in the fridge. Make sure to wrap them in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container to keep the sandwiches fresh.

How To Decorate Tea Sandwiches 

One of the traditional ways to decorate and display your tea sandwiches is to arrange them in a pyramid or tower shape on a large plate. Start with a base layer of 4 or 5 sandwiches. Then, add another layer of sandwiches on top, positioning them diagonally. To finish off the presentation, garnish the arrangement with some fresh green herbs like mint leaves or parsley.

This not only adds a pop of color but also brings a fresh element to your tea sandwich display.

Tea Sandwiches Variaionts:

• Add Eggs: add about 2-3 hard-boiled eggs, mashed and mixed with cream cheese.
• Add Smoked Salmon: Add thin slices of smoked salmon on top of the cream cheese and cucumber.
• Add Ham: Add thin slices of ham along with the cream cheese and cucumber.
• Add Strawberry: Replace the cucumber with thin slices of fresh strawberries for a sweet and tangy twist.
• Add Chicken: Add shredded cooked chicken on top of the cream cheese instead of cucumber.
• Add Tomatoes: Add thin slices of fresh tomatoes along with the cream cheese and cucumber for a refreshing twist.
• Make It Vegan: For a vegan version of these tea sandwiches, simply replace the cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese substitute. 

Tea Sandwiches Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 270
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 29mg
• Sodium: 455mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 33g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Total Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 7g

Try More Recipes:

• Blueberry Scones With Lemon Glaze
• Carrot Cake Cupcakes
• Buttermilk Scones
• Lemon Bars
• Morning Glory Muffins