Kentucky Derby Tea Sandwich Trio (Print Version)

A trio of Southern tea sandwiches featuring cucumber, egg salad, and ham on soft bread.

# 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 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ 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 Steps:

01 - Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer to cold water, peel, and chop finely.
02 - Mix chopped eggs with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced chives, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Set aside.
03 - Blend softened cream cheese, butter, dill, salt, and pepper. Spread thinly on white bread slices. Arrange cucumber slices on three bread slices, top with remaining bread, press gently, and cut into finger sandwich portions.
04 - Spread butter on one side of rye bread slices. Apply mustard over butter on three slices, layer ham and parsley, top with remaining bread slices, press gently, and cut into finger sandwich portions.
05 - Spread egg salad evenly over whole wheat bread slices. Top with remaining bread, press gently, and cut into finger sandwich portions.
06 - Arrange all sandwich varieties on a serving platter. Cover with damp paper towel and plastic wrap until service to maintain freshness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get three different flavors from one preparation, which means less thinking and more impressing.
  • Everything can be made hours ahead, so you're actually relaxed when guests show up instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • These sandwiches disappear faster than you'd expect, and somehow that always feels like a personal victory.
02 -
  • Removing crusts isn't just aesthetic—it changes the mouthfeel entirely and makes these feel like you made an effort, which matters in entertaining.
  • Soft spreads on hard bread is a disaster; everything needs to be softened first, or you'll tear the bread to shreds trying to spread it.
  • Cucumbers release water as they sit, so don't assemble more than a few hours ahead if you want them to stay crisp.
03 -
  • If you're making these for a crowd, assemble in batches and keep finished sandwiches covered until the last moment so nothing dries out or loses its shape.
  • Use a sharp serrated knife for cutting and let it do the work—don't press down hard or you'll squeeze out all the moisture you just worked to protect.
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