Derby Party Pimento Cheese (Printable)

Classic Southern pimento cheese on white bread, cut into delightful finger-sized bites for easy serving.

# 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

# 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 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, using approximately 2 tablespoons per slice. Top with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
05 - Using a sharp serrated knife, trim off crusts if not already done and cut each sandwich into thirds or quarters to create finger sandwiches.
06 - Arrange on a platter, cover with a damp paper towel, and refrigerate until serving, up to 4 hours.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They come together in under 20 minutes, which means you can actually enjoy your party instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • The pimento cheese is smooth and creamy with just enough tang to keep things interesting, and it never gets boring no matter how many you eat.
  • You can make them hours ahead, which takes all the stress out of entertaining.
02 -
  • The pimento cheese mixture is forgiving and tasty, but if your bread is too thick or dense, everything falls apart—thin, soft bread is non-negotiable for finger sandwiches.
  • Draining your pimentos really well makes the difference between creamy mixture and a soggy one, so don't skip that step or rush it.
03 -
  • Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened before you start mixing, or you'll spend forever trying to get lumps out instead of enjoying the process.
  • If you're making these a day ahead, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap instead of leaving them on a plate, because exposed sandwiches dry out even in the refrigerator.
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