Polar Bear Iceberg Stacks

Featured in: Vegetarian & Vegan

This dish features creamy layers of cream cheese blended with Greek yogurt, spread on crisp crackers. Topped with cucumber slices and decorated with olives, capers, and radishes to form charming polar bear shapes on iceberg-like bases, these stacks offer a playful appetizer option. Chilling enhances texture, and variations include adding fresh herbs or using gluten-free and vegan substitutes. Perfect for easy and visually appealing party snacks.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:59:00 GMT
Creamy Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks featuring crisp cucumbers and olives create whimsical appetizer magic. Save to Pinterest
Creamy Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks featuring crisp cucumbers and olives create whimsical appetizer magic. | krispyrecipes.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.

I love making these polar bear cracker stacks for family gatherings; they always bring smiles and are a hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

  • Cream Cheese: 200 g cream cheese, softened
  • Greek Yogurt: 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
  • Cucumber Slices: 12 small, about ½ cm thick, cut into rounds
  • Black Olive Slices: 12 small, for noses
  • Mini Capers: 24, for eyes
  • Radish Slices: 12 small, for ears
  • Crackers: 12 round rice crackers or water crackers, about 5 cm diameter
  • Lemon Juice: ½ tsp
  • Salt and Pepper: to taste

Instructions

Mix Ingredients:
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.
Form 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 Head:
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.
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My children delight in helping decorate the crackers, making this recipe a fun family activity.

Notes

For extra flavor, add fresh dill or chives to the cream cheese mixture. Substitute crackers with gluten-free options if desired. For a vegan version, use plant-based cream cheese and yogurt.

Required Tools

Mixing bowl, small offset spatula or butter knife, small spoon or piping bag, serving platter.

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cream cheese, yogurt), wheat (if using standard crackers). May contain Sulfites (in olives, capers). For allergies, use dairy-free and gluten-free alternatives as needed. Double-check all labels.

Adorable Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks, perfect for a party, with cool cream cheese and fresh veggies. Save to Pinterest
Adorable Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks, perfect for a party, with cool cream cheese and fresh veggies. | krispyrecipes.com

These Polar Bear Iceberg Cracker Stacks add a playful touch to any event and are simple to customize.

Common Recipe Questions

What ingredients create the polar bear shapes?

Cucumber slices form the icebergs, topped with cream cheese mounds decorated with capers for eyes, olive slices for noses, and radish slices as ears.

Can this dish be made vegan?

Yes, by substituting plant-based cream cheese and yogurt, you can create a vegan-friendly version.

How long should the stacks chill before serving?

Chill for at least 10 minutes to allow the cream cheese mixture to firm up for best texture.

Are gluten-free options possible for this dish?

Yes, you can use gluten-free cracker varieties to accommodate dietary needs.

Can fresh herbs be added to the cream cheese mix?

Adding fresh dill or chives enhances flavor and freshness in the creamy spread.

Polar Bear Iceberg Stacks

Cream cheese and veggie stacks on crackers shaped like polar bears on icebergs, ideal for entertaining.

Prep Duration
20 minutes
0
Overall Time
20 minutes
Created by Mia Harper

Recipe Type Vegetarian & Vegan

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type International

Total Portions 12 Serving Size

Dietary Considerations Veggie-Friendly

What You’ll Need

Dairy & Cheese

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

Vegetables

01 12 small cucumber slices (about 1/8 inch thick, cut into rounds)
02 12 small black olive slices (for noses)
03 24 mini capers (for eyes)
04 12 small radish slices (for ears)

Crackers

01 12 round rice or water crackers (approximately 2 inches diameter)

Spices & Seasonings

01 1/2 tsp lemon juice
02 Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare creamy spread: Combine cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 02

Apply spread on crackers: Evenly spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture onto each cracker.

Step 03

Assemble iceberg base: Place one cucumber slice slightly off-center on each cracker to resemble 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 create the polar bear's head.

Step 05

Decorate faces: Garnish each polar bear head with two capers for eyes, one black olive slice for the nose, and two small radish slices positioned on the sides for ears.

Step 06

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

Tools You’ll Need

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

Possible Allergens

Double-check each ingredient for allergens and consult an expert if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk from cream cheese and yogurt.
  • May contain wheat if using standard crackers.
  • Possible sulfites in olives and capers.
  • Use dairy-free and gluten-free substitutes to accommodate allergies.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

This data is for informational purposes and shouldn't replace professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 75
  • Total Fat: 4.5 grams
  • Total Carbohydrates: 6 grams
  • Protein Content: 2 grams