Pin It A whimsical, savory appetizer featuring cool cream cheese, crisp veggies, and crackers stacked to resemble polar bears on floating icebergs—perfect for parties or themed gatherings.
I first served this and everyone loved the playful presentation and easy preparation.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese: 200 g cream cheese, softened
- Plain Greek yogurt: 2 tbsp
- Cucumber slices: 12 small slices about ½ cm thick, cut into rounds
- Black olive slices: 12 small slices for noses
- Mini capers: 24 for eyes
- Radish slices: 12 small slices for ears
- Round rice crackers: 12 or water crackers about 5 cm diameter
- Lemon juice: ½ tsp
- Salt and pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Step 2:
- Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture on each cracker.
- Step 3:
- Place a cucumber slice slightly off-center on each cracker to create the iceberg.
- Step 4:
- Using a small spoon or piping bag, drop a rounded mound of cream cheese mixture onto the cucumber slice as the polar bears head.
- Step 5:
- Decorate each head:
- Place two capers as eyes.
- Add one black olive slice as the nose.
- Push two small radish slices into the sides as ears.
- Step 6:
- Chill for at least 10 minutes before serving for best texture.
Pin It This recipe has become a favorite at family gatherings as kids love the fun polar bear shapes and grown-ups appreciate the fresh flavors.
Notes
For extra flavor, add fresh dill or chives to the cream cheese mixture. Substitute crackers with gluten-free options if desired. For a vegan version, use plant-based cream cheese and yogurt.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl small offset spatula or butter knife small spoon or piping bag serving platter
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (cream cheese yogurt) wheat (if using standard crackers). May contain Sulfites (in olives capers). For allergies use dairy-free and gluten-free alternatives as needed double-check all labels.
Pin It This appetizer combines creativity with simplicity making it a standout at any snack or party table.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients create the polar bear’s head on these stacks?
A rounded mound of cream cheese mixture forms the polar bear’s head, placed atop the cucumber slice.
- → How are the eyes, nose, and ears represented?
Capers serve as eyes, a black olive slice forms the nose, and radish slices make the ears.
- → Can these stacks be made vegan-friendly?
Yes, substitute plant-based cream cheese and yogurt to suit vegan diets.
- → What crackers work best for these stacks?
Round rice or water crackers around 5 cm in diameter provide a sturdy base.
- → How long should the stacks chill before serving?
Chill for at least 10 minutes to enhance texture and flavor harmony.