Save to Pinterest 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.
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Ingredients
- Dairy & Cheese: 200 g cream cheese, softened, 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- Vegetables: 12 small cucumber slices (about ½ cm thick, cut into rounds), 12 small black olive slices (for noses), 24 mini capers (for eyes), 12 small radish slices (for ears)
- Crackers: 12 round rice crackers or water crackers (about 5 cm diameter)
- Spices & Seasonings: ½ tsp lemon juice, 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.
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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 to Pinterest This appetizer is perfect for themed parties and is quick to assemble.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What ingredients create the polar bear faces?
Capers serve as eyes, black olive slices form noses, and radish slices shape the ears, all placed atop cream cheese mounds.
- → Can I make this snack vegan-friendly?
Yes, substitute the cream cheese and yogurt with plant-based alternatives to keep the texture and flavor light.
- → How long should the stacks chill before serving?
Chilling for at least 10 minutes helps set the cream cheese mixture and improves texture and flavor integration.
- → Are there gluten-free cracker options recommended?
Rice or water crackers work well, and gluten-free alternatives can be used to accommodate dietary needs without affecting taste.
- → Can fresh herbs enhance the flavor?
Adding fresh dill or chives to the cream cheese mixture provides a bright, herbaceous note that complements the creamy base.