Derby Pimento Cheese Sandwiches (Printable)

Tender white bread filled with creamy pimento cheese spread, perfect for festive Derby occasions.

# What You 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 complete sandwiches.
05 - Using a sharp serrated knife, trim off crusts and cut each sandwich into thirds or quarters to create finger sandwich portions.
06 - Arrange on a platter, cover with a damp paper towel, and refrigerate until serving, up to 4 hours.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're made entirely in a bowl with no cooking required, which means you can prep them while your guests are arriving and you're still in your good clothes.
  • The pimento cheese stays creamy and never gets grainy or weird, unlike some spreads that get temperamental after sitting out.
  • Each bite delivers that perfect balance of sharp cheddar tang, cooling mayo richness, and just enough spice to keep things interesting.
  • You can make them a full day ahead, which is basically a cheat code for entertaining.
02 -
  • If your pimento cheese mixture looks too thick to spread smoothly, a tablespoon of mayo at a time will loosen it right up without changing the flavor.
  • The butter layer is genuinely a game-changer—I learned this the hard way after serving soggy sandwiches at a catering gig, and now I never skip it.
03 -
  • If you want to get fancy without adding time, stir in a handful of finely chopped fresh scallions or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese mixture for extra personality.
  • A sharp serrated knife makes all the difference when cutting these—a dull knife will squish the bread and make everything look sloppy.
Go Back