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.
I enjoy making these stacks for family gatherings because they always delight kids and adults alike with their playful look and fresh flavors.
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 cheese blend:
- 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.
- Create iceberg:
- Place a cucumber slice slightly off-center on each cracker to create the iceberg.
- Add polar bear head:
- 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 to Pinterest My kids love helping decorate the polar bear heads, turning the recipe into a fun family activity every time.
Variations
For extra flavor, try adding fresh dill or chives to the cream cheese mixture or substitute crackers with gluten-free options.
Allergen Information
Contains milk from cream cheese and yogurt and wheat if using standard crackers. Consider dairy-free and gluten-free alternatives for allergies.
Additional Tips
To make this recipe vegan, use plant-based cream cheese and yogurt alternatives. Always double-check labels for allergens.
Save to Pinterest 
Serve chilled and enjoy these playful treats that combine taste and creativity effortlessly.
Recipe Questions
- → How do I achieve the polar bear look?
Use cucumber slices for icebergs, then craft the head with cream cheese, placing capers for eyes, an olive slice for the nose, and radish slices as ears.
- → Can I prepare these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and chill them for at least 10 minutes before serving to enhance texture and flavor.
- → What alternatives exist for dietary restrictions?
Substitute with plant-based cream cheese and yogurt for vegan options, and select gluten-free crackers if needed.
- → What herbs can enhance the flavor?
Fresh dill or chives can be mixed into the cream cheese for added aroma and taste.
- → How should the cream cheese mixture be prepared?
Blend softened cream cheese with plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.