Derby Party Benedictine Sandwiches (Printable)

Creamy cucumber and dill spread layered between soft breads for elegant Kentucky gatherings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Spread

01 - 1 large English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely grated
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
04 - 2 teaspoons fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

→ Sandwich Assembly

09 - 12 slices soft white sandwich bread, crusts removed
10 - 12 slices soft wheat sandwich bread, crusts removed
11 - Thin cucumber slices for garnish, optional
12 - Fresh dill sprigs for garnish, optional

# How To Make:

01 - Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
03 - Fold the drained cucumber into the cream cheese mixture until well incorporated.
04 - Lay out the bread slices. Spread a generous layer of Benedictine mixture on half of the slices. Top with the remaining bread.
05 - Cut sandwiches diagonally or into fingers for traditional tea sandwich presentation.
06 - Garnish with thin cucumber slices and dill sprigs if desired. Serve chilled.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • They're deceptively simple to make but taste like you spent hours in the kitchen plotting something elegant.
  • Cucumber and dill is a flavor combination that somehow feels both comforting and sophisticated, like a secret handshake with good taste.
  • You can prep the spread ahead and assemble just before guests arrive, which means you actually get to enjoy your own party.
02 -
  • That kitchen towel step isn't optional—I learned this the hard way by skipping it, and ended up with a spread that wept moisture all over the bread within an hour.
  • Don't make these more than four hours ahead unless you want soggy sandwiches; the bread will absorb the spread's moisture and lose its delicate texture, no matter how well you wrapped them.
03 -
  • Make the spread the night before and store it in an airtight container—the flavors deepen as they sit, and you'll appreciate the shortcut on party day.
  • If you want to get fancy, use a round cookie cutter to cut the sandwiches into circles instead of diagonals; they look even more elegant and feel special.
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