If you’ve been following my blog, you probably know by now that my favorite seasons are spring and summer. Christmas and boots are about the only things I like about winter. To hasten spring’s arrival, I prepared a tray of butterfly shaped tea sandwiches.
A tea sandwich is a dainty sandwich originally meant to be eaten at afternoon teatime to starve off hunger until the main meal. They are perfect for garden parties, bridal and baby showers. I actually had a couple (or more) for lunch today.
I decided to make butterfly shaped sandwiches as I was going through my cookie cutter collection looking for a flower shaped cutter. I’m so glad I found the butterfly first.
Here’s how you do it:
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese (feel free to use low-fat)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (I always use Duke)
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- ⅛ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 24 thin slices of bread
- 12 stuffed olives
- Cut cucumbers into thin slices. Place in a bowl and cover with water and vinegar. Let stand for 30 minutes. Drain.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, mayo, garlic powder, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cut bread into butterfly shapes using a butterfly shaped cookie cutter.
- Spread each with cream cheese mixture.
- Slice one cucumber slice in half to form wings.
- Slice an olive in half and use the pimento for the antennae and place ½ olive for the body in between the wings.
When you soak the cucumber slices in the vinegar/water mixture, you’re doing a quick pickling of the veggies. The pickled cucumber adds a crispy zip to the cream cheese mixture.
I used Pepperidge Farm very thin 100% whole wheat bread (40 calories a slice), but any thin bread will work.
These sandwiches may look dainty, but they pack a powerful punch of flavors. What’s your favorite party sandwich?
I love cucumber tea sandwiches and the fact that you made them as butterflies is a double bonus! So adorable!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom recently posted…Updated Beef Stronganoff with Homemade Gravy
I love love tea sandwiches – although I always pig out and eat basically the entire tray! Going to have to make these for Florence then maybe she’ll actually eat her lunch!
Madaline recently posted…What to Wear in Italy | March 2015
I have to watch myself or I’ll eat the entire batch.
These are so adorable! I am going to try making them for S and see if I can get her to eat the cucumber. She always loves tea parties.
Paris (My Big Fat Happy Life) recently posted…Big Hero 6 Viewing Party
The quick pickling gives the cucumbers a little tang, so if she likes tangy, she’ll like these. 🙂
Okay, these are adorable. I can’t wait to play tea party with our little girl. I’m definitely pinning this for later! 🙂
Logan Can recently posted…Spring OOTD
Thanks, Logan! They are really easy to make AND eat. 🙂
Alli, these look so beautiful and yummy. I’ve never tried cucumbers with cream cheese. Very interesting combination.
MJ recently posted…Skittles Popsicles Recipe For Basketball Game Day
You’ve got to try them! They are so delicious.
Our garden club has a grandkids day every summer and this would be perfect for their snack. Pinning!!
Tammy recently posted…When to Plant in Your Zone
It would be perfect for a garden club and grandkids, Tammy.
My four year old would just love these. She has a thing for butterflies and she loves fancy little sandwiches. Thanks for sharing!!
Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy recently posted…FIVE Ways to Reduce Stress in Your Life
That is such a cute idea. I am always cutting out shapes for my toddler to eat. I would love to make these for myself.
Oh, now you’re getting all Southern Belle on us! This brings back sweet memories of wedding showers and baby showers! We like our cucumbers sliced really thin for these tasty little sandwiches too. I love your butterfly shapes! Pinning to my Sandwich board.
Shirley Wood recently posted…Marigolds From Seed To Bloom
Thanks, Shirley! We southerners can’t live without our little dainty sandwiches, can we?
Ali! I LOVE these super cute. Im a huge fan of tea sandwiches and these couldn’t be cuter!
Krayl @ An Appealing Plan recently posted…Zesty Southern Pimento CheeseÂ
Thanks, Krayl! They are so good. I’m off to check out your zesty pimento cheese. I’m CRAZY about pimento cheese.
Alli, these look yummy and beautiful. Cucumbers and olives with cream cheese, great combination.
Anna @ NorthernHomestead recently posted…Syrniki Recipe (Cottage Cheese Pancakes)
They are so good and light, Anna, perfect for spring. We’re expecting a high of 81º here today. 🙂
I am sure the kids will not think twice to grab one of those, how cute! Making the food looks great is always a factor to entice picky eaters.
Chubskulit Rose recently posted…Ahoy Matey, Here Comes the Pirate
We do eat with our eyes, first, right? Thanks!
These look wonderful and I am sure that there are many different ways to make these. I can’t wait to give these a try. Thank you Alli
these are so cute! I love High Tea so these would be perfect for it!
Nadeen recently posted…Top 7 Reasons To Attend The Black Ski Summit!
I love these, how cute. Perfect for a brunch or even for kids and can make their own. I don’t like cream cheese so maybe I would do hummus on these instead. Thanks for the idea! 🙂
Carra D recently posted…My favorite ways to use Almond Breeze Almondmilk
What a cute idea. I think these would be so fun in little ones lunches. I would enjoy them for tea!
Cynthia L recently posted…Dollar Tree Glitter Eggs
We love teas at our house! These sandwiches are adorable…and yummy looking too. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai recently posted…Sidewalk Chalk Tutorial
The pickling tip is a great one. I have not thought of that. So sweet and yet elegant too.
Mary recently posted…Pie Table Rescue
The butterfly sandwich looks so cool and would make great pick up meals for gatherings. It also looks really delicious.
Franc Ramon recently posted…Incoming: 2015 Philippine National Open-Invitational Athletics Championships
Wow – you are so creative! My daughter does not like the bread corners and she will love it if I make these lovely butterflies for her 🙂
These are so creative for tea parties!! I never thought to use cookie cutters on sandwiches like this!
Tammilee Tips recently posted…Dunham Cellars Walla Walla Washington
oh my goodness, what a cute idea!! I love going to tea parties, and throwing them, and I am totally going to make these at the next one!
Lauren recently posted…Dress: My Daily Uniform+ Style Me Weekly Linkup
Those are so cute! I love butterflies to begin with and would love to have a butterfly shaped cutter. I am so making these today.
Very creative presentation. This is one of those food that you won’t eat until you get the perfect picture. 🙂
Ron Leyba recently posted…WATCH: How to Cook Orange Chicken Filipino Style
These are really cute and it is very creative to make the sandwiches this way. It would be great for a small get together. Thanks for sharing.
That looks super amazing! I love cucumbers on a salad and this is an adorable shape to eat this!
Kiwi recently posted…I’m So Ready for Spring and Beauty Products in Between!
This is probably the cutest sandwich ever! 🙂 And tasty. The ingredients remind me of a traditional tea sandwich.
Bailey K. recently posted…Arches National Park – Moab, Utah
It’s a really cute way to serve a sandwich. Bet even my teen would like this one, though she’d never admit it aloud. 😉
What an awesome idea! Why didn’t think of this? 😀 I have some metal cookie cutter that could go perfect for this. Thank you for sharing!
Maureen recently posted…My 5 Fitness Wish List – #WellnessWednesday #GoWellnessday
I want to throw a spring party now! How lovely these are!
Julia recently posted…Rainbow Tostadas
That’s such a cute sandwich and perfect for a spring luncheon.
Erlene recently posted…Pinterest Tested #16
Wow !! It looks beautiful. I like the recipe so much. I can’t wait to try making this awesome recipe on later today. Especially looks gorgeous for the butterfly shape. Thanks for sharing the great recipe.
Showhan recently posted…What Are The Best Permanent Coffee Filters?