I’m going to go out on a limb and say that my favorite part of any meal is the appetizer. Even better than appetizers, are the kinds of get-togethers where everyone in your crowd brings something to share resulting in a plate full of different creations to try. While I love experimenting and try to bring something new most times, I have a few go-to’s that are ridiculously simple to make, feed a large group, and taste REALLY good. 

At the top of the list are these precious cucumber cups. You know how when you bite into a cupcake and the frosting goes up your nose a little bit? These cups give you the exact same result but who doesn’t love a generous portion of a little cream cheese and sour cream?

Before I scooped the cream cheese mixture into the cups, I used a small vegetable peeler to make ‘stripes’ on the cucumbers. Obviously- not necessary but it dresses them up just a bit. I also used a disposable pastry bag to swirl the mixture into the cups, but you can use a ziploc bag with a tip cut out or just spoon a heaping tablespoon in. Again – as long as you’re generous with the filling, any way you make them is gold 😉 

Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites

Makes approximately 18 cucumber cups.

• 2-3 large cucumbers
• 1 8 oz. package/block of Philadelphia cream cheese
• 1 8 oz container of light sour cream
• 1 package of ‘Good Seasonings’ Italian Dressings Mix
• crumbled turkey bacon for sprinkling (This time, I used packaged turkey bacon, but I have previously cooked up a couple slices of turkey bacon over the stove for a fresher option)

1. Combine sour cream, cream cheese, and Italian Dressing mix. Place in an air tight container in the fridge until you are ready to use.
2. Wash cucumbers and if desired, use a vegetable peeler to peel ‘stripes’ on the cucumber.
3. Slice each cucumber into 1 to 1.5-inch thick slices and with a small spoon or a melon baller, scoop out a good portion of the seeds/middle of each slice to form little cups.
4. Lightly dab each of the cucumber slices with a paper towel. If there is too much moisture before adding the cream cheese mixture, it will become runny.
5. Using the pastry bag or a spoon, fill each cup with a heaping tablespoon of the filling and top each with turkey bacon crumbles. 

One of the best parts of this appetizer is the crunch you get from the cucumbers so I would suggest making these fairly close to when you are going to serve them as the cucumbers become soft from the filling over time. 

Perfect for your next barbecue or even before a meal at home, I hope you try out and enjoy these easy-peasy cucumbers!