Save A whimsical, savory appetizer featuring cool cream cheese, crisp veggies, and crackers stacked to resemble polar bears on floating icebergs&mdashperfect for parties or themed gatherings.
This recipe is always a hit at gatherings and makes for a playful snack that kids and adults enjoy alike.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese: 200 g cream cheese softened
- Greek yogurt: 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- Cucumber: 12 small cucumber slices about ½ cm thick cut into rounds
- Black olives: 12 small black olive slices for noses
- Mini capers: 24 mini capers for eyes
- Radish slices: 12 small radish slices for ears
- Crackers: 12 round rice crackers or water crackers about 5 cm diameter
- Lemon juice: ½ tsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Mix ingredients:
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Spread mixture:
- Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture on each cracker.
- Create iceberg:
- Place a cucumber slice slightly off-center on each cracker to create the iceberg.
- Form polar bear:
- Using a small spoon or piping bag, drop a rounded mound of cream cheese mixture onto the cucumber slice as the polar bears head.
- Decorate head:
- Place two capers as eyes. Add one black olive slice as the nose. Push two small radish slices into the sides as ears.
- Chill:
- Chill for at least 10 minutes before serving for best texture.
Save My family loves making these together—the kids enjoy assembling the bears and eating their creations.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, small offset spatula or butter knife, small spoon or piping bag, serving platter
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (cream cheese, yogurt) and wheat (if using standard crackers). May contain Sulfites in olives and capers. Use dairy-free and gluten-free alternatives as needed.
Nutritional Information
Per stack: Calories 75, Total Fat 4.5 g, Carbohydrates 6 g, Protein 2 g
Save This appetizer is perfect for adding whimsy to any party menu and is quick to prepare beforehand.
Recipe FAQ
- → What ingredients create the 'polar bear' effect?
The polar bear look is achieved by shaping cream cheese on cucumber slices, with olives for noses, capers for eyes, and radish slices as ears.
- → Can I use dietary substitutes for cream cheese?
Yes, plant-based cream cheese and yogurt can replace dairy versions to accommodate vegan or lactose-intolerant diets.
- → How long should these stacks be chilled before serving?
Chilling for at least 10 minutes helps set the cream cheese mixture and improves the overall texture.
- → Which crackers work best for stacking?
Round rice or water crackers about 5 cm in diameter provide a sturdy base without overpowering the flavors.
- → Are there options to enhance the flavor of the cream cheese layer?
Yes, adding fresh dill or chives to the cream cheese mixture adds aromatic depth and freshness.