Cheese Dreams are a nostalgic appetizer described as a cross between a cheese straw and a puffy grilled cheese sandwich. These “pillowy bites” typically consist of a spiced cheddar-butter mixture spread between and over small squares of crustless white bread, then baked until golden and crispy.
Julia Reed, the late Southern author and humorist, popularized “cheese dreams” as a decadent cocktail party staple made from a spiced cheddar mixture spread on small squares of white bread. She recalled these as a frequent food from her childhood in Mississippi.
Wonderful as an appetizer, they are also round out a meal as an accompaniment to any soup entrée. The tasty cheese sandwiches will be a perfect appetizer for sophisticated or casual gatherings and will be enjoyed by guests of all ages, including children.
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Cheese Dreams
This classic southern appetizer cheesy is perfect for formal or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Beat in heavy cream, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, mustard and pepper or hot sauce.
- Cut crusts from white bread slices; cut each bread slice into 4 squares. Spread cheese mixture on half of bread squares (about 1 tsp. per square); top each with 1 remaining square. Spread remaining cheese mixture over top and sides of sandwiches. Place sandwiches, 1 inch apart, on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.