The Perfect Barefoot Contessa Tea Sandwiches Recipe for Parties

Tea sandwiches whisper elegance and sophistication from the moment they grace your plate.

Delicate and refined, these miniature culinary delights transform ordinary bread into something magical.

Soft, pillowy slices become canvases for creative flavor combinations that dance between texture and taste.

Perfectly portioned and meticulously crafted, these bite-sized treats elevate any gathering from mundane to memorable.

Small yet powerful, tea sandwiches represent a centuries-old tradition of graceful entertaining.

Lightweight and charming, they offer a subtle balance of ingredients that feel both familiar and exciting.

Prepare to impress your guests with these sophisticated little morsels that promise a delightful gastronomic experience: your tea party awaits.

Why Contessa Tea Sandwiches Are a Delight

• Create Elegant Appetizers: Transform simple ingredients into delicate, refined tea sandwiches that look like they're straight from a fancy British tea party.
• Craft Quick Gourmet Bites: Whip up these sophisticated sandwiches in just 20 minutes, perfect for unexpected guests or last-minute entertaining.
• Enjoy Fresh, Crisp Flavors: Experience the delightful combination of creamy cream cheese, zesty lemon, and cool cucumber that creates a light and refreshing taste sensation.
• Master Simple Culinary Technique: Learn an easy cutting method that turns ordinary sandwiches into beautiful, bite-sized triangles that impress without complicated cooking skills.

Key Ingredients for Contessa Tea Sandwiches

• Bread: Soft, white bread perfect for delicate tea sandwiches with a fresh, light texture.
• Cream Cheese: Smooth, creamy spread that adds rich, tangy flavor and helps ingredients stick together.

• Cucumber: Crisp, cool vegetable that provides a refreshing crunch and light taste to the sandwich.
• Chives: Optional herb that offers a mild onion-like flavor and bright green color for garnish.

• Lemon Juice: Bright, zesty liquid that adds a fresh citrus note and enhances the overall flavor.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the sandwich's taste profile.

Steps to Make Contessa Tea Sandwiches

Step 1: Prepare Bread Bases

Lay out 2 slices of soft white bread on a clean cutting board. Spread of creamy, smooth cream cheese evenly across each slice using a butter knife.

Step 2: Add Crisp Cucumber Layer

Arrange thinly sliced cucumber rounds carefully over the cream cheese on one bread slice. Choose fresh, crisp cucumbers for maximum crunch and flavor.

Step 3: Enhance Flavor Profile

• Fresh lemon juice
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Finely chopped fresh chives (optional)

Step 4: Close the Sandwich

Gently place the second bread slice (cream cheese side down) on top of the cucumber layer, creating a neat sandwich.

Step 5: Shape and Slice Perfectly

Using a sharp knife, carefully trim off the bread crusts to create a clean, uniform shape. Cut the sandwich diagonally into 4 equal triangular pieces. Repeat the entire process with remaining ingredients to create multiple tea sandwiches.

Pro Tips for Contessa Tea Sandwiches

• Dry Cucumber Smartly: Prevent waterlogged bread by letting cucumber slices drain in a colander for 15 minutes, then gently pat them dry with paper towels.
• Seal Freshness Quickly: Wrap completed sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container to maintain moisture and texture.
• Timing Matters Most: Assemble these delicate sandwiches right before serving for the crispest, most appetizing results.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare tea sandwiches the evening before your event, storing them carefully in the refrigerator to keep them pristine.
• Serve Immediately Ideal: Enjoy these elegant treats within hours of preparation for the ultimate tea sandwich experience.

Storing Contessa Tea Sandwiches

• Seal Tightly: Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap to lock in moisture and prevent bread from drying out. This method creates a protective barrier that keeps the delicate fillings fresh and prevents flavor mixing.
• Stack Strategically: Place sandwiches in a single layer inside a flat, shallow container with a secure lid. Separate each layer with wax paper or parchment to maintain their pristine shape and prevent crushing during storage.
• Chill Quickly: Refrigerate immediately after preparation to preserve the cucumber's crispness and cream cheese's smooth texture. Keep sandwiches chilled for no more than 2 hours to maintain optimal taste and prevent soggy bread.

Fresh Spins on Contessa Tea Sandwiches

• Herbed Cream Cheese Cucumber Roll-Ups: Replace bread with soft tortillas, spread herbed cream cheese, roll tightly with cucumber slices, then slice into pinwheel bites.
• Dill-Infused Mediterranean Sandwich: Use whole wheat bread, swap cream cheese for tzatziki, add fresh dill, cucumber, and a sprinkle of feta cheese for extra flavor.
• Spicy Cucumber Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches: Mix sriracha into cream cheese, layer with thinly sliced cucumbers on white bread, garnish with red pepper flakes for a zesty kick.
• Smoked Salmon Cucumber Canapés: Top cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches with thin slices of smoked salmon, garnish with capers and fresh dill for an elegant appetizer.

Looking Back at Contessa Tea Sandwiches

Barefoot Contessa’s cucumber tea sandwiches offer elegant simplicity that whispers sophistication.

Classic British charm meets modern culinary precision in these delicate little bites.

Small triangles promise refined refreshment with each crisp, creamy morsel.

Cream cheese provides luxurious smoothness while cucumbers deliver garden-fresh crispness.

Chives add subtle herbal complexity to this delightful appetizer.

These sandwiches beckon you to savor refined moments, share delectable conversations, double-tap with culinary appreciation, and spark gourmet connections across social circles.

Barefoot Contessa Tea Sandwiches Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic tea sandwiches elevate simple ingredients into elegant bites perfect for afternoon gatherings. Crisp cucumber, herbed cream cheese, and delicate bread create a delightful English-style treat you’ll savor with sophistication and charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 20 slices store-bought soft white bread (buttermilk bread)
• 1 ¼ cups (10 ounces) cream cheese
• 1 English cucumber

Seasoning:

• Lemon juice, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnish:

• Chopped fresh chives, to taste

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Instructions

1. Gently lay two slices of bread on a clean, flat surface, ensuring they are evenly positioned.
2. Carefully spread a generous layer of cream cheese across the entire surface of each bread slice, creating a smooth, even coating that reaches the edges.
3. Arrange thinly sliced cucumber pieces in a single, overlapping layer on one of the cream cheese-covered bread slices, covering the surface completely.
4. Sprinkle a delicate mist of fresh lemon juice over the cucumber slices to enhance their crisp flavor and prevent browning.
5. Lightly season the cucumber layer with a pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the sandwich’s taste profile.
6. Optional: Finely chop fresh chives and scatter them evenly over the seasoned cucumber layer for an additional burst of flavor and visual appeal.
7. Carefully place the second slice of bread, cream cheese side down, on top of the cucumber layer, gently pressing to ensure a secure seal.
8. Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully trim the crusts from all four sides of the sandwich to create a clean, precise edge.
9. Slice the sandwich diagonally into four equal triangular pieces, creating bite-sized portions that are perfect for serving or sharing.

Notes

• Slice cucumbers and let drain to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy sandwich bottoms.
• Refrigerate wrapped sandwiches to maintain freshness and texture up to one full day.
• Plastic wrap or sealed containers protect delicate sandwich layers from drying out.
• Enjoy these bite-sized delights immediately after crafting for peak flavor and crispness.
• Advance preparation works well when following proper storage techniques carefully.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Lunch
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 80 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg