Derby Pimento Cheese Sandwiches (Printable Version)

Creamy pimento cheese spread on bite-sized white bread sandwiches, perfect for entertaining.

# What You'll 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

# How To Make:

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 the 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.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • These come together in twenty minutes flat, which means you can make them fresh on party day without the stress.
  • The creamy pimento cheese stays tucked between bread crusts that actually crisp up instead of turning soggy, a trick that changes everything.
  • One batch feeds a crowd, and they disappear faster than you can refill the platter.
02 -
  • Don't skip the butter layer on the bread—I learned this the hard way when sandwiches turned into mush by the time guests arrived.
  • Drain the pimentos thoroughly or their liquid will make your cheese mixture thin and weeping.
  • Room temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable; cold cream cheese creates lumps that no amount of stirring will fix.
03 -
  • A sharp serrated knife makes all the difference—it glides through bread without crushing it, giving you clean edges instead of ragged ones.
  • If your kitchen is warm, keep the pimento cheese mixture in the fridge until the moment you spread it, so it stays firm enough to apply evenly.
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