For the past four years, a select crew of ten of us has been coming together, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, to celebrate our own holiday tradition, which we’ve playfully named “Friendsgivingmas.” It’s typically the only occasion where we can synchronize our schedules to enjoy a night of delightful company and mouthwatering cuisine, along with the occasional summer poolside potluck.
While the menu changes each year, the roles are generally consistent: the pastry chef is in charge of dessert, the host prepares the main course, another couple brings soup, and I take care of the appetizers or side dishes. The usual suspects like cheese boards, mezze platters, meatballs, and crostini have had their moment, so I’ve been searching for a fresh addition to the spread.
Just in time, I discovered a recipe from our friends at Southern Living for “Cheese Dreams,” a “legendary” Southern dinner party staple since the 1950s.
Never lose a Better Homes and Gardens recipe again. Find a recipe you adore on BHG.com? Click the heart icon to save it (and find it later) with MyRecipes.com.
These Cheese Dreams are a staple in Junior League cookbooks, suburban homes, and social clubs across the South, and now they’ve spread far and wide thanks to people moving and sharing their cherished recipes. According to Southern Living, they have a strong connection to Nashville. But you can enjoy them no matter where you live by following this straightforward method:
Prepare the filling. In a bowl, mix together finely grated sharp Cheddar cheese with softened unsalted butter using a hand mixer. Add heavy cream, an egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, dry mustard, and a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to taste. Build the bites. Remove the crusts from slices of firm white sandwich bread, then cut each slice into four squares. Spread the cheese mixture on half of each square, followed by another square of bread, and cover the top and sides with the remaining cheese mixture. Bake and enjoy. Place the “dreams” on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Cheese Dreams are akin to bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches, dressed up for a party, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. After trying them and consulting with our Test Kitchen, we’ve come up with some tips to make the process smoother and more personalized if you decide to give them a try as well.
Slice it correctly. Trim the crusts from the bread, then leave the slices whole while applying the cheese mixture. Add the top slice, cut the sandwiches into quarters, and spread on the extra cheese mixture. This will make the process much less cumbersome. Be flexible with your filling. While sharp cheddar is a standout, you can opt for aged Cheddar, Gouda, Monterey Jack, Colby, or Provolone if you prefer. Since pre-shredded cheeses are coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent melting, our Test Kitchen suggests grating your own cheese from a block or wedge. You can also add a pickle, a small slice of ham, or a dollop of hot pepper jelly to each “dream” if you like. Serve with a dip. Cheese Dreams are often served alone as a bite-sized appetizer, but pairing them with a dip like Caesar dressing, marinara sauce, or honey mustard can elevate the experience. Get a head start. Our Southern Living friends confirm that you can assemble and chill Cheese Dreams the day before, or freeze them for up to three weeks. You can bake them straight from frozen; just adjust the baking time to 25 minutes instead of 15.
I agree with a reviewer who said, “This is definitely a keeper!” With so few ingredients, I can easily memorize the Cheese Dreams recipe and think of countless ways to tweak each batch to taste entirely new. (Besides the cheese variety, the bread style and seasonings can also be adjusted without changing the technique.)
The dry mustard and hot sauce add a delightful zing, while the Worcestershire sauce adds depth to the flavor. The finished product is reminiscent of cheese straws but with a heartier texture—and without the hassle of mixing and piping pastry dough.
I can see myself making this recipe frequently, for Friendsgivingmas and other gatherings, keeping the bread slices whole until the cheese mixture is applied. This is a game-changer for streamlining the appetizer recipe. With this strategy, I’m excited to prepare a batch or two to keep on ice, ensuring I’m never more than 25 minutes away from a cheesy, crowd-pleasing appetizer. It’s a dream come true!
