Winter Salad Snowflake Cups

Featured in: Fresh & Easy Bites

This festive winter dish features crisp cucumber cups cut into snowflake shapes and filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and finely diced vegetables. Enhanced with fresh dill and garnished with pomegranate seeds and chives, it offers a refreshing balance of flavors and textures. Perfect chilled, it makes an elegant appetizer or snack ideal for holiday gatherings and light meals. Quick to prepare with no cooking time required.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:40:00 GMT
Snowflake-shaped cucumber cups: The festive winter salad displaying creamy filling and vibrant pomegranate seeds. Save
Snowflake-shaped cucumber cups: The festive winter salad displaying creamy filling and vibrant pomegranate seeds. | toastytongs.com

A festive, crisp winter salad served in delicate cucumber cups, shaped like snowflakes and filled with a creamy, tangy filling. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or party snack.

I first served this salad at a holiday gathering and everyone loved how unique and delicious it was.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 3 large cucumbers, 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup finely diced celery, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
  • Dairy: 1/2 cup cream cheese softened, 2 tbsp sour cream
  • Pantry: 1 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Garnish: 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds, 1 tbsp finely chopped chives

Instructions

Step 1:
Wash and peel the cucumbers. Cut them crosswise into 2-inch thick rounds.
Step 2:
Using a small snowflake-shaped cookie cutter carefully cut each round into a snowflake shape.
Step 3:
With a melon baller or small spoon hollow out the center of each snowflake leaving a 1/4-inch thick base and sides to form a cup. Set aside on paper towels to drain excess moisture.
Step 4:
In a medium bowl combine cream cheese sour cream lemon juice salt and black pepper. Mix until smooth.
Step 5:
Gently fold in red bell pepper celery red onion and dill.
Step 6:
Spoon or pipe the filling into each cucumber cup.
Step 7:
Garnish with pomegranate seeds and chives.
Step 8:
Chill for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Elegant Snowflake cucumber cups appetizer ready to serve; filled with a tangy, fresh, colorful salad. Save
Elegant Snowflake cucumber cups appetizer ready to serve; filled with a tangy, fresh, colorful salad. | toastytongs.com

This salad often becomes the centerpiece at family holiday parties bringing smiles and compliments all around.

Required Tools

Snowflake-shaped cookie cutter (small), melon baller or small spoon, mixing bowl, knife and cutting board, piping bag (optional)

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cream cheese sour cream). Check labels to ensure all ingredients are gluten-free if needed.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories 45, Total Fat 3 g, Carbohydrates 3 g, Protein 1 g

Refreshing Snowflake cucumber cups with colorful veggie filling, perfect for a gluten-free holiday snack. Save
Refreshing Snowflake cucumber cups with colorful veggie filling, perfect for a gluten-free holiday snack. | toastytongs.com

This winter salad brings a fresh and festive touch to any occasion with minimal effort.

Winter Salad Snowflake Cups

Elegant winter salad featuring snowflake-shaped cucumber cups filled with a creamy vegetable blend.

Prep duration
25 min
0
Complete duration
25 min
Created By Daniel Brooks


Skill Level Medium

Heritage Contemporary

Output 12 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free, No Gluten

Components

Vegetables

01 3 large cucumbers
02 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
03 1/2 cup finely diced celery
04 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
05 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Dairy

01 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
02 2 tablespoons sour cream

Pantry

01 1 teaspoon lemon juice
02 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
02 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare cucumbers: Wash and peel the cucumbers. Slice into rounds approximately 2 inches thick.

Phase 02

Shape cucumber rounds: Use a small snowflake-shaped cookie cutter to cut each round into a snowflake form.

Phase 03

Hollow cucumber centers: With a melon baller or small spoon, hollow out the center of each snowflake, leaving about 1/4 inch thick base and sides to create cups. Place on paper towels to drain excess moisture.

Phase 04

Prepare filling: Combine cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth.

Phase 05

Add vegetables to filling: Gently fold in the diced red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and chopped dill.

Phase 06

Fill cucumber cups: Spoon or pipe the creamy mixture into each hollowed cucumber cup.

Phase 07

Garnish: Top each filled cup with pomegranate seeds and chopped chives.

Phase 08

Chill before serving: Refrigerate the prepared cups for at least 10 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.

Tools needed

  • Small snowflake-shaped cookie cutter
  • Melon baller or small spoon
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Piping bag (optional)

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare professional if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cream cheese, sour cream).
  • Verify gluten-free status of all ingredients if necessary.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 45
  • Fats: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Proteins: 1 g