Save 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 love serving these at get-togethers because they always bring smiles and are deliciously light.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese: 200 g softened
- Greek yogurt: 2 tbsp plain
- Cucumber slices: 12 small rounds about ½ cm thick
- Black olive slices: 12 small for noses
- Mini capers: 24 for eyes
- Radish slices: 12 small for ears
- Rice or water crackers: 12 round about 5 cm diameter
- Lemon juice: ½ tsp
- Salt and pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese:
- 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.
- Add cucumber slices:
- Place a cucumber slice slightly off-center on each cracker to create the iceberg.
- Create polar bear heads:
- 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 heads:
- 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 This recipe always brings my family together with smiles and plenty of compliments at any gathering.
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.
Nutritional Information
Calories 75 Total Fat 4.5 g Carbohydrates 6 g Protein 2 g per stack
Save This appetizer is simple to make yet impressively adorable & tasty, perfect for your next party or snack time.
Recipe Help & Answers
- → What type of crackers work best for this dish?
Round rice or water crackers about 5 cm in diameter provide a sturdy base and a neutral flavor that complements the creamy and fresh toppings.
- → Can I prepare the stacks in advance?
Yes, chilling the assembled stacks for at least 10 minutes improves texture and allows flavors to meld, making them ideal for ahead-of-time prep.
- → Are there suitable substitutions for dairy ingredients?
Plant-based cream cheese and yogurt alternatives work well to create a vegan-friendly version without compromising creaminess.
- → How do the vegetables contribute to the presentation?
Slices of cucumber form the iceberg base, capers serve as eyes, black olive slices create noses, and radish pieces resemble ears, crafting a playful polar bear motif.
- → Can herbs be added to enhance flavor?
Fresh dill or chives mixed into the creamy base provide additional aroma and taste, enriching the appetizer’s profile.