Derby Party Benedictine Sandwiches (Print Version)

Creamy cucumber-dill spread on soft bread, ideal for Southern-style elegant gatherings and parties.

# 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 fresh 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

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible to prevent soggy sandwiches.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill, chives, lemon juice, salt, and white 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 and spread a generous layer of Benedictine mixture on half of the slices. Top with the remaining bread slices.
05 - Cut sandwiches diagonally or into fingers for traditional tea sandwich presentation.
06 - Garnish with thin cucumber slices and fresh dill sprigs if desired. Serve chilled.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They're impossibly easy to make but taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • The color alone stops conversations, especially if you go bold with the green tint.
  • They hold up beautifully for a few hours, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of fussing.
  • Crisp, herbaceous, and just creamy enough to feel indulgent without being heavy.
02 -
  • The cucumber must be squeezed dry or your beautiful spread will turn into cucumber soup on bread, and all your work becomes soggy regret.
  • Room temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable, because cold cream cheese won't blend properly and you'll end up with lumps no amount of stirring will fix.
  • If you want to go traditional with the green tint, add a tiny drop of food coloring at the end and stir until you get the shade you want, because it adds the element of surprise when guests taste them.
03 -
  • Remove the crusts from your bread before spreading, not after, because it's easier to work with and gives you cleaner edges.
  • Keep everything cold until the moment you serve, because warm Benedictine spread is less crisp and the bread will start to get soggy faster.
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