Derby Party Pimento Cheese (Print version)

Creamy pimento cheese sandwiches with sharp cheddar and mild spices, perfect for Southern gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese Mixture

01 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
04 - 1/4 cup jarred diced pimentos, drained
05 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Sandwich Assembly

10 - 24 slices thin white sandwich bread, crusts removed
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and mayonnaise. Beat with a hand mixer or stir vigorously until smooth and creamy.
02 - Add diced pimentos, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly incorporated.
03 - Lay out bread slices. If desired, lightly spread one side of each slice with softened butter to prevent sogginess.
04 - Evenly spread pimento cheese mixture on half of the bread slices, approximately 2 tablespoons per slice. Top with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
05 - Using a sharp serrated knife, trim off crusts and cut each sandwich into thirds or quarters to make finger sandwiches.
06 - Arrange on a platter, cover with a damp paper towel, and refrigerate until serving, up to 4 hours.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They disappear faster than you can say "Run for the Roses" because the cheese is creamy, tangy, and somehow both rich and light at the same time.
  • Everything comes together in one bowl with no cooking required, making these perfect for hosting when you'd rather be enjoying your guests than sweating in the kitchen.
  • You can make them hours ahead and refrigerate, which means less last-minute scrambling and more time to actually enjoy the party atmosphere.
02 -
  • Freshly grated cheese is non-negotiable because pre-shredded cheese will turn your beautiful spread into something grainy and separated, a mistake I made exactly once and learned from hard.
  • Don't skip letting the cream cheese soften because cold cream cheese won't mix smoothly no matter how hard you beat it, and you'll end up with little pockets of cream cheese scattered through the mix.
03 -
  • Chill your knife under cold water or in the freezer for a minute before cutting so the bread doesn't tear and the filling stays neat instead of getting dragged everywhere.
  • If you want to amp up the flavor, add a tiny dash of hot sauce or finely chopped fresh scallions to the cheese mixture and nobody will ever know what made it taste so irresistible.
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