Creamy Benedictine Spread Kentucky Tea Sandwiches
A classic southern recipe featuring a creamy benedictine spread made with cream cheese, grated cucumber, and fresh herbs, perfect for light, elegant tea sandwiches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 medium English cucumber, peeled and finely grated
- 2 stalks green onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 12 slices soft white bread, crusts removed
Instructions
- Peel the English cucumber and grate it finely using a box grater. Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and gently squeeze to remove excess moisture. (About 5 minutes)
- Finely chop the green onions and fresh dill. Set aside. (2-3 minutes)
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the grated cucumber, green onions, and dill. Add salt, white pepper, and fresh lemon juice. Stir gently until everything is evenly mixed and creamy. (5 minutes)
- Trim the crusts off each slice of bread. For an extra-soft texture, lightly press the bread with a rolling pin to thin it slightly. (Optional, 2 minutes)
- Using a butter knife, spread a generous layer of the benedictine mixture onto each bread slice. Top with another slice to form a sandwich. (5 minutes)
- Cut sandwiches into small rectangles or triangles. Arrange on a serving plate. (2 minutes)
Notes
Squeeze out excess moisture from grated cucumber to avoid soggy sandwiches. Soften cream cheese to room temperature for easier mixing. Chill sandwiches for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and bread firm up. Assemble sandwiches shortly before serving to prevent sogginess. Variations include swapping dill for mint or basil, adding goat cheese, or using gluten-free bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 150180
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Benedictine spread, Kentucky tea sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, cream cheese spread, southern recipe, tea party food, easy appetizer