Derby Pimento Cheese Sandwiches (Printable)

Creamy pimento cheese spread on soft bread, ideal for southern style finger sandwiches and entertaining.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 Steps:

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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're deceptively elegant but take less time than you'd spend scrolling through your phone.
  • The pimento cheese stays creamy and doesn't turn into a dry mess by the time guests arrive.
  • You can make them hours ahead, which means you're actually relaxed when people show up instead of frantic in the kitchen.
02 -
  • If your pimento cheese looks too thick, you can thin it with an extra tablespoon of mayo—better to adjust now than have spreading disasters later.
  • Removing those crusts might feel wasteful, but it changes the entire eating experience and makes these feel intentional instead of like regular sandwiches you got lazy about.
03 -
  • Invest 30 seconds in grating your own cheddar cheese instead of buying pre-shredded—the texture of these sandwiches depends on it, and it's the easiest way to elevate the entire recipe.
  • If your sandwiches start to crack when you cut them, your knife probably isn't sharp enough or you're pressing down too hard instead of using a gentle sawing motion.
Go Back