A vintage recipe that needs to make a comeback, Kentucky Derby Benedictine Spread is a delicious appetizer for any party. It also makes a great filling for tea sandwiches.
I like to serve this spread as a dip with crudites. For a beautiful Kentucky Derby cocktail party, I like to include finger sandwiches stuffed with Easy Buffalo Chicken Salad, Classic Pimento Cheese with crackers, Pickled Deviled Eggs, Shrimp Cocktail, and Honey Bourbon Glazed Scallops.
And of course, you have to have cocktails! Classic Mint Julep, Dark And Stormy Rum Cocktail, and a Vodka Tom Collins complete the bar menu.
WHAT IS BENEDICTINE SPREAD?
This easy spread is a cool, creamy combination of cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings.
It was developed by a Louisville restaurateur, Jennie Carter Benedict in the early1900’s for her tea room. Spread on flattened white bread with the crusts removed, this finger sandwich was a house favorite.
Today, at least in Kentucky, this spread can be found premade in grocery stores and on restaurant menus.
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?
- Cream cheese and sour cream – use the full-fat version for both
- Mayonnaise – I like Helmann’s. It would be Duke’s or Blue Ribbon in the Deep South.
- English cucumber – also called ‘seedless’ cucumbers. Peel it and if it has any seeds, use a small spoon to scoop them out.
- Green onion and garlic- minced them as fine as possible
- Salt, pepper, dried dill weed, and cayenne pepper for flavor
HOW DO I MAKE THIS SPREAD?
This is one of those easy, one-bowl recipes. First, you mash together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
Then mix in the remaining ingredients. Spoon into a container and chill until ready to use.
Pretty easy, right?
PrintKENTUCKY DERBY BENEDICTINE SPREAD
This Kentucky Derby Spread is just what your next race day party needs. Serve it with crudite or as a filling to make finger sandwiches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Yields 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Category: Starters - Appetizers
- Method: Stir
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
1 package (8-ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
½ medium English cucumber, peeled
½ cup minced green onion
1 large garlic clove, finely minced
½–1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon dried dill weed
Pinch cayenne
Instructions
Remove the seeds from the cumber and chop to a fine mince. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon, mash together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth.
Fold in the green onion, cucumbers, salt, pepper, dill weed, and cayenne until well combined.
Spoon the mixture into a container with a tight fitting lid and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Serve cold with crackers, crudite, or as a spread in a sandwich.
Keywords: Kentucky Derby Benedictine spread, race day appetizers, Kentucky Derby, appetizer recipes, dip recipes, finger sandwiches