Kentucky Derby Benedictine Sandwiches (Printable Version)

Delight in crisp cucumber and creamy cheese layered on soft bread for a light, flavorful bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Spread

01 - 1 large English cucumber, peeled and seeded
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon onion, grated
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
09 - 2-3 drops green food coloring, optional

→ Sandwich Assembly

10 - 12 slices fresh white sandwich bread, crusts removed
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Grate the cucumber using a fine grater. 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, grated onion, salt, and white pepper. Mix until smooth.
03 - Stir in the drained cucumber and mix until well blended. Add green food coloring if desired and mix until the color is uniform.
04 - If using, lightly butter one side of each slice of bread to prevent sogginess.
05 - Spread a generous layer of the Benedictine mixture on half of the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
06 - Gently press and trim crusts if needed. Cut each sandwich into quarters using rectangles or triangles.
07 - Arrange on a platter and serve immediately, or cover with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Takes only 15 minutes from start to finish with no cooking required
  • Light, refreshing, and perfect for warm weather gatherings
  • A true Kentucky Derby tradition that honors Southern culinary heritage
  • Easily doubles or triples for large parties and events
  • The spread can be made a day ahead for stress-free entertaining
02 -
  • English cucumbers work best because they have fewer seeds and less water than regular cucumbers
  • Squeeze the grated cucumber thoroughly—this is the single most important step for preventing soggy sandwiches
  • Use white pepper instead of black to maintain the spread's pale, elegant appearance
  • A serrated knife works best for cutting the delicate sandwiches cleanly
  • The spread can be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container
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