# Components:
→ Bread
01 - 12 slices white or whole wheat sandwich bread
→ Cream Cheese Mixture
02 - 225 grams cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Vegetables
08 - 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced into rounds
→ Garnishes
09 - Red bell pepper, diced (optional, for tree ornaments)
10 - Fresh dill fronds or chives (optional, for tree trunks or branches)
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, chives, dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until smooth and homogeneous.
02 - Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut tree shapes from each bread slice, reserving scraps for breadcrumbs.
03 - Spread a generous layer of the herbed cream cheese mixture evenly onto each bread tree shape.
04 - Arrange cucumber slices in overlapping layers atop the cream cheese to replicate tree branches.
05 - Decorate with diced red bell pepper as ornaments and use fresh dill fronds or chives for trunks or branches.
06 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.
