In India, tea time snacking goes all the way back to before Independence. And till now we have persistently maintained this quirky habit! 

But for many, tea time snacks can become quite redundant and the need to switch it up is not uncommon at all! 
So we compiled these recipes to quirk up your Tea time snacking!

Cucumber Finger Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons fresh dill chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh chives chopped
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 long English cucumber thinly sliced
• 1 loaf sliced bread crusts removed

Method -

1. With a hand mixer mix cream cheese and mayonnaise in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in herbs, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
2. Spread bread slices with cream cheese mixture.
3. Thinly slice cucumbers. Layer over half of the bread slices. Top with additional herbs if desired.
4. Top with remaining bread slice, remove crusts if desired and cut each sandwich into 3 pieces.
5. Serve immediately or cover and store up to 24 hours.

Soft Honey Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Method-

In a small bowl, beat sugar and oil until blended. Beat in egg; beat in honey and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture and mix well (dough will be stiff). Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake until bottoms are lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pan to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Dilly Mini Cheese Balls

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• Pretzel sticks or assorted crackers

Method-

In a small mixing bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Shape tablespoons of cheese mixture into balls. Roll in walnuts and parsley. 

Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving. Serve with pretzel sticks or crackers.

This last recipe comes to us from Turkey! While it is not as easy to make, you can bulk create the recipe and save it for one to two weeks!

Cornbread

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 200 millilitres milk
• 200 millilitres olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 100 grams flour
• 400 grams cornflour
• 10 grams baking powder
• 200 millilitres of water, boiling
• 1 teaspoon butter- To butter the oven dish

Method -

1. Break the egg in a large mixing bowl and whisk slightly.
2. Add the milk, oil and mix again.
3. Sieve the flour, corn flour and baking powder. Add.
4. Add also the sugar and salt.
5. Mix everything with the wire whisk until combined thoroughly.
6. Keep the hot-boiled water ready and add slowly, enough to look like somewhat more liquid than a cake mixture.
7. Oil your oven tray with some butter with an egg brush. Pour in the mixture evenly.
8. Cook in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes at 180° Celsius (350° F).
9. Test with a toothpick, if it comes out clean and if the bread is brownish on the top and bottom, it is ready.