Having guests in for afternoon tea or coffee? It's simple to whip up these delicious sandwich treats!
Finger sandwiches are great because they're portable, light, and simple to put together. They're called "finger" sandwiches because they're put together and then cut into strips, rather than in halves or quarters like meal-sized fare.
These little sandwiches go well with an afternoon tea, a gathering for coffee, a book club meeting, a bridal or baby shower, or even a child's tea party. They're easy to customize according to taste, and even pack a bit of a nutritional punch.
For the bread, use homemade or purchased quick bread, such as banana, pumpkin, or zucchini bread. Slice it thinly and remove the "crusts."
For the filling, soften a block of cream cheese on the counter or in the microwave. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese for a few minutes to get it nice and light, and easy to spread. Stir in a teaspoon or so of your favourite spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice, and about a tablespoon of sugar. Give the filling a taste test, and add more spice if needed.
To add a bit of extra flair, stir in some chopped toasted nuts, raisins, chopped dried fruit, or a dollop of fruit preserves.
Make sandwiches with the bread and filling, and then slice the sandwiches into strips no bigger than one-inch wide. Dust the finished sandwiches lightly with icing sugar for a pretty presentation. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
