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Polar Bear Iceberg Stacks

Featured in: Seasonal Treats

Create delightful cream cheese and veggie stacks shaped like playful polar bears resting on cucumber icebergs. Smooth cream cheese mixed with Greek yogurt adds a tangy creaminess spread on crisp crackers. Decorate with cucumber rounds, black olives, capers, and radish slices for a fun presentation. Easy no-cook preparation makes these stacks ideal for entertaining or light snacks. Chill before serving for best texture and flavor.

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Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:19:00 GMT
Creamy Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks featuring crisp cucumbers, capers eyes, and radish ears—a fun appetizer. Pin
Creamy Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks featuring crisp cucumbers, capers eyes, and radish ears—a fun appetizer. | cinnamonnest.com

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.

This appetizer has always been a hit at our family gatherings, bringing smiles and compliments every time.

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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| cinnamonnest.com

Our kids love helping assemble these, making it a fun family activity that also encourages them to eat veggies.

Variations

Try adding fresh dill or chives to the cream cheese mixture for an herby twist.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled on a platter with extra crackers on the side for guests to make their own stacks.

Storage

Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.

Savory Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks: imagine chilled cream cheese atop crunchy crackers with olive noses. Pin
Savory Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks: imagine chilled cream cheese atop crunchy crackers with olive noses. | cinnamonnest.com

This recipe adds a playful and delicious touch to any gathering that everyone will enjoy.

Recipe FAQ

→ What type of crackers work best?

Round rice or water crackers with a mild flavor and sturdy texture work best to hold the toppings without breaking.

→ Can I substitute cream cheese with a non-dairy option?

Yes, plant-based cream cheese and yogurt can be used for a vegan-friendly version while maintaining creamy texture.

→ How long should the stacks chill before serving?

Chilling for at least 10 minutes helps set the cream cheese mixture and enhances the overall texture.

→ Are there variations to add more flavor?

Fresh herbs like dill or chives can be mixed into the cream cheese for added aroma and taste.

→ Can these stacks be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, they can be assembled and refrigerated a few hours ahead, but are best served fresh for optimal crunchiness.

Polar Bear Iceberg Stacks

Cream cheese, cucumber, olives, and crackers layered into playful stacks with a cool, fresh flavor.

Prep duration
20 min
0
Total duration
20 min

Category Seasonal Treats

Difficulty Easy

Origin International

Yield 12 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Ingredients

Dairy & Cheese

01 7 oz cream cheese, softened
02 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt

Vegetables

01 12 small cucumber slices, approximately ¼ inch thick
02 12 small black olive slices
03 24 mini capers
04 12 small radish slices

Crackers

01 12 round rice crackers or water crackers, about 2 inches in diameter

Spices & Seasonings

01 ½ teaspoon lemon juice
02 Salt, to taste
03 Black pepper, to taste

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Combine softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl and stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 02

Apply Base Layer: Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each cracker.

Step 03

Add Cucumber Slices: Place one cucumber slice slightly off-center on each cracker, simulating an iceberg.

Step 04

Form Polar Bear Heads: Using a small spoon or piping bag, place a rounded mound of cream cheese mixture on top of each cucumber slice to resemble the polar bear's head.

Step 05

Decorate Features: Adorn each head by placing two mini capers as eyes, one black olive slice as the nose, and two small radish slices on the sides as ears.

Step 06

Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled stacks for a minimum of 10 minutes to enhance texture before serving.

Necessary tools

  • Mixing bowl
  • Small offset spatula or butter knife
  • Small spoon or piping bag
  • Serving platter

Allergy information

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain.
  • Contains milk (cream cheese, yogurt) and wheat (if using standard crackers).
  • May contain sulfites in olives and capers.
  • Use dairy-free and gluten-free alternatives as needed.

Nutritional information (per serving)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 75
  • Fat: 4.5 g
  • Carbs: 6 g
  • Protein: 2 g