Kentucky Derby Tea Sandwiches (Printable Version)

A classic Southern trio with cucumber, egg salad, and ham fillings on soft bread for elegant bites.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cucumber Sandwiches

01 - 6 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
02 - 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
06 - Pinch of salt and black pepper

→ Egg Salad Sandwiches

07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh chives, minced
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 6 slices whole wheat bread, crusts removed

→ Ham Sandwiches

14 - 6 slices rye sandwich bread, crusts removed
15 - 3 ounces thinly sliced deli ham
16 - 2 tablespoons Dijon or honey mustard
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover, remove from heat, and let stand for 10 minutes. Cool eggs under cold water, peel, and chop finely. In a bowl, combine chopped eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, chives, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Stir together cream cheese, butter, dill, salt, and pepper until well blended. Spread mixture thinly on each slice of white bread. Arrange cucumber slices evenly on three bread slices and top with remaining bread slices. Press gently and cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwich pieces.
03 - Spread butter on one side of each rye bread slice. Spread mustard over the butter on three slices. Top with ham and a sprinkle of parsley. Cover with remaining bread slices, press gently, and cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwich pieces.
04 - Spread egg salad mixture evenly over three whole wheat bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices and cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwich pieces.
05 - Arrange all sandwiches on a serving platter. Cover with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap until serving to maintain freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Three different flavors mean everyone finds their favorite, and you look like a Southern hostess without the stress.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, leaving you time to actually enjoy your guests instead of being glued to the kitchen.
  • They taste even better the next day, so you can assemble them ahead and spend the afternoon relaxing.
02 -
  • Remove crusts before assembling, not after—it's cleaner, easier, and the sandwiches look professionally done instead of homemade in a chaotic way.
  • Cold filling on cold bread is the difference between these tasting like restaurant food and tasting like something you threw together last minute.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of fillings and freeze them separately in small containers for weeks when you want quick elegant entertaining.
  • Lemon zest on the cucumber sandwiches and a hint of tarragon in the egg salad transform these from Southern classic into your own signature version.
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