Dreamy Tea Sandwiches: Barefoot Contessa’s Magical Recipe

Summer afternoons buzz with anticipation when Barefoot Contessa tea sandwiches grace the table with delightful elegance.

These petite delicacies capture the essence of refined entertaining with minimal effort.

Delicate bread slices transform into bite-sized masterpieces that sparkle with unexpected flavor combinations.

Each sandwich whispers sophistication without overwhelming complexity.

Light, crisp, and beautifully assembled, these treats promise to delight even the most discerning palate.

Small gatherings deserve extraordinary culinary moments that feel effortlessly chic.

Serve these delectable morsels and watch conversations bloom around your elegant spread.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients List for Barefoot Contessa Tea Sandwiches

Here’s the new Ingredient section:

• Chicken Breasts: Tender protein base that brings richness and substance to the sandwiches, selecting fresh and plump cuts ensures maximum flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps create a smooth, golden-brown exterior when roasting chicken.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the chicken's natural taste.
• Thyme: Adds an aromatic herbal touch that complements the meat's flavor.

• Mayonnaise: Provides creamy texture and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces a tangy, sharp accent to the chicken mixture.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a luxurious, spreadable base for various sandwich fillings.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes that elevate the overall taste.

• White Bread: Classic, soft canvas for delicate tea sandwiches.
• Pumpernickel Bread: Offers a rich, robust flavor contrast.
• Butter: Ensures smooth spreadability and adds richness.
• Cucumber: Provides crisp, refreshing texture.
• Salmon: Delivers elegant, delicate protein option.
• Hard Boiled Eggs: Adds protein and creamy texture to fillings.
• Watercress: Introduces peppery, fresh green element.
• Dill: Brings fresh, herbaceous garnish and flavor enhancement.
• Cranberries: Adds sweet-tart burst of flavor.
• Lettuce: Provides fresh, crisp layer in sandwiches.
• Paprika: Offers subtle warmth and color to egg mixture.

Tools That Help Build Dainty Tea Sandwiches

• Baking sheet: For roasting chicken evenly.
• Sharp knife: Essential for cutting chicken, bread, and cucumber into precise pieces.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Mixing bowls: Different sizes needed for preparing chicken salad, cream cheese mix, and egg mixture.
• Measuring spoons: For adding precise amounts of salt, thyme, and other seasonings.
• Whisk or fork: Perfect for mixing mayonnaise, mustard, and blending ingredients smoothly.
• Vegetable peeler: Helps create ultra-thin cucumber slices.
• Pastry bag or zip-top bag: Useful for piping cream cheese mixture decoratively.
• Kitchen scissors: Optional tool for trimming bread crusts neatly.

How to Assemble Tea Sandwiches Like Contessa

• Chicken Salad Base

Roast seasoned chicken breasts until golden, then cool and slice into bite-sized pieces. Prepare a creamy mixture blending tangy mustard with smooth mayonnaise.

• Bread Preparation

Select soft white bread and gently remove outer crusts. Layer delicate greens underneath chicken mixture. Slice into elegant small squares.

• Cucumber Dill Delight

Create paper-thin cucumber slices. Whip cream cheese with fresh dill and bright lemon zest. Spread luxurious mixture onto bread and add cucumber layers.

• Salmon Pinwheel

Select rich pumpernickel bread. Coat with herbed cream cheese spread. Layer delicate salmon pieces and roll into circular shape.

• Egg Watercress Sandwich

Mash hard boiled eggs into silky texture. Blend with zesty mayonnaise and gentle paprika. Sprinkle fresh watercress for peppery kick. Trim edges and cut into perfect bite-sized portions.

• Decorative Finish

Garnish each sandwich with tiny dill leaf or delicate cream cheese dollop. Arrange on elegant serving platter for sophisticated tea time presentation.

Tea Sandwich Tips You’ll Want to Try

• Replace white bread with sourdough, whole wheat, or rye for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Swap chicken with turkey, ham, or tofu to suit different dietary preferences and add variety.
• Replace dried cranberries with seasonal fruits like chopped apricots, blueberries, or pomegranate seeds for fresh taste bursts.
• Experiment with herb garnishes like chives, parsley, or tarragon instead of dill to elevate sandwich presentation and taste profile.
• Toast bread lightly before assembling sandwiches to add crispy texture and prevent sogginess during serving.

Perfect Ways to Serve Tea Sandwiches for Guests

• Elevate Tea Party Presentation: Arrange the sandwiches on a beautiful tiered silver platter with delicate doilies for an elegant, classic look.
• Pair with Complementary Beverages: Serve classic Earl Grey tea or light champagne to enhance the sophisticated flavors of these delicate tea sandwiches.
• Create Colorful Garnishes: Top each sandwich with small sprigs of fresh dill, thin cucumber slices, or edible flowers to add visual appeal and fresh flavor accents.
• Make Ahead with Ease: Prepare these sandwiches a few hours before serving, cover with damp paper towels, and store in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and prevent bread from drying out.

Storage Pointers for Leftover Tea Sandwiches

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store completed tea sandwiches in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated and consume within 24 hours for maximum freshness and texture.
• Prepare Ahead: Assemble sandwich fillings like chicken and cream cheese mixtures up to 2 days before serving. Store separately in sealed containers to maintain crisp ingredients and prevent bread from getting soggy.
• Transport Smoothly: When carrying tea sandwiches to events, use a flat, sturdy container with a tight lid. Line the bottom with paper towels to absorb moisture and keep sandwiches looking pristine during travel.
• Chill Before Serving: Let assembled sandwiches rest in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before cutting and serving. This technique helps ingredients set and makes precise, clean cuts easier to achieve.

Elegant Barefoot Contessa Tea Sandwiches Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa tea sandwiches showcase delicate English-style finger sandwiches perfect for afternoon gatherings. Cucumber, smoked salmon, and egg salad fillings create elegant bite-sized delicacies you will savor during sophisticated social events.

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Ingredients

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• 3 chicken breasts (boneless)
• 1 package smoked salmon
• 4 eggs (hard boiled)
• 6 slices potato bread
• 6 slices pumpernickel bread
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (softened)
• 2 oz (57 g) cream cheese
• 2 tbsps butter (softened)
• ½ cucumber (large)
• ½ cucumber
• 2 tbsps mayonnaise
• 2 tsps dijon mustard
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 oz (57 g) cranberries
• 1 sprig watercress
• lemon zest
• 2 tsps dill (chopped)
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch paprika
• ¼ tsp thyme

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Instructions

1. Chicken Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Drizzle olive oil over chicken breasts, season with salt and dried thyme. Roast for 30 minutes until fully cooked, then cool and slice into bite-sized cubes.
2. Cranberry Mixture: Halve and crush cranberries in a mixing bowl. Whisk mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until smooth, then combine with roasted chicken pieces.
3. Bread Base: Lightly butter white bread slices. Layer fresh greens over chicken mixture. Trim crusts and slice into rectangular or square portions.
4. Cream Cheese Cucumber Sandwich: Blend softened cream cheese with lemon zest and salt. Slice cucumbers into thin rounds using a mandoline. Spread cream cheese mixture on white bread, arrange cucumber slices, and remove crusts.
5. Salmon Roll: Apply cream cheese blend to pumpernickel bread. Layer with cucumber and salmon slices. Roll into an elegant circular form.
6. Egg Sandwich: Mash hard-boiled eggs and chop watercress. Mix butter, mayonnaise, paprika, and chopped lettuce. Spread on bread, layer egg mixture, trim crusts, and shape into squares.
7. Garnishing: Transfer remaining cream cheese to a piping bag. Create decorative dollops and garnish with a delicate dill leaf.

Notes

• Chicken Roasting Tip: Ensure chicken is fully cooked at 165°F internal temperature to guarantee food safety and tender meat texture.
• Bread Preparation Technique: Use day-old bread for firmer, easier-to-cut sandwich bases that maintain structural integrity.
• Cucumber Slicing Hack: Chill cucumbers before slicing to achieve ultra-thin, uniform translucent rounds without crushing delicate vegetable.
• Cream Cheese Flavor Boost: Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free spreading consistency.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg