Cream Cheese Sandwiches With Dates, Pecans and Rosemary Recipe (2024)

By David Tanis

Cream Cheese Sandwiches With Dates, Pecans and Rosemary Recipe (1)

Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(162)
Notes
Read community notes

For these sandwiches, look for soft, juicy dates. It’s also worth seeking out natural cream cheese rather than the gummy commercial kind, or substitute fresh ricotta. The crisp, salty herbed pecans pair very nicely with the slightly sweet spread.

Featured in: Finger Sandwiches Save the Day

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

Ingredients

Yield:12 open-face sandwiches

  • 1cup/8 ounces natural cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • ½teaspoon lime or lemon zest
  • 1cup chopped dates, in biggish chunks, from 12 large dates
  • ¾cup pecan halves
  • 2tablespoons rosemary leaves, from 1 average sprig
  • 1tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 6slices light or dark rye bread
  • Pinch of red-pepper flakes

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (12 servings)

179 calories; 12 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 18 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 13 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 114 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Cream Cheese Sandwiches With Dates, Pecans and Rosemary Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Set oven to 400. Put cream cheese, lime zest and dates in a small bowl. Use a fork to gently mix.

  2. Step

    2

    Put pecans on a rimmed baking sheet or in a skillet. Add rosemary leaves, olive oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to distribute seasoning and spread out in an even layer. Roast for 10 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Set aside to cool.

  3. Step

    3

    Lay bread slices on a work surface. Spread each evenly with cream cheese mixture using 2 or 3 tablespoons per slice. Sprinkle with pecans and rosemary. Add a little more salt and a pinch of red pepper.

  4. Step

    4

    Cut on the diagonal to make 12 open face sandwiches, or cut into smaller bite-size triangles.

Ratings

4

out of 5

162

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

todd sf

I used half goat cheese, half creme cheese, otherwise followed the recipe, this is absolutely delicious, greater than the sum of its parts!

Priyamvada

Swapped the pecans for walnuts and the fresh rosemary for dried ones and I have to say this is one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a while.

Mandi

Made exactly as written and adored every bite. Couldn't get enough.

Susan

Just made this for lunch on toasted baguette bread from Paris Baguette... Delicious, yummy, awesome...

lizadams

Made these in a small triangular shape. Took the note to use 1/2 goat cheese, cause I like it. Otherwise as written. Served as a vegetarian canapé. Delicious

Isabelle

Made this on our boat as an appetizer. Because our propane oven is kind of a pain, sautéed the pecans etc. for 5 mins or so in a pot on the stove top. Worked fine. Tasty but next time I'll try toasting the bread.

Jennifer Rowe

Ten minutes at 400 degrees? I've tried it twice, and my pecans burned both times.

heliotrophic

Ooh! I used to love cream cheese on Thomas' date nut bread. If that still exists in NY, you are lucky! It definitely doesn't exist here. What a great work-around, and easier than baking one's own date-nut bread!

Mallory Busch

Modifications:- After toasting the pecans in a cast-iron for 10 minutes, I laid the bread pieces on top of the pecans and put the skillet back in the oven.- 5 minutes later, juiced half of the lime over the bread- 5 minutes later, realized this made the bread soggy so I pushed the nuts to the side and toasted the bread pieces directly on the skillet (letting the nuts toast some more) for another 10 minutes.TLDR delicious, highly rec adding lime juice and toasting the bread ;)

Mandi

Made exactly as written and adored every bite. Couldn't get enough.

todd sf

I used half goat cheese, half creme cheese, otherwise followed the recipe, this is absolutely delicious, greater than the sum of its parts!

Priyamvada

Swapped the pecans for walnuts and the fresh rosemary for dried ones and I have to say this is one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a while.

Scottie

Marscapone cheese works really well as a substitute for cream cheese.

kate

Great snack that pairs well with a charcuterie plate

Vicki

Lightly toasting the bread adds a nice crunch.

Nora

Very easy and delicious.

Suzanne

I used rye but next time it will be sourdough. A big hit!

Allison W.

Delicious and perfect for vegetarian guests.

Private notes are only visible to you.

Cream Cheese Sandwiches With Dates, Pecans and Rosemary Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is mayonnaise a substitute for cream cheese? ›

Atypical recipe calls for soft cheese and heavy cream as binding ingredients, but mayo works as a reliable sub. You can also add a cream of mushroom soup mix for extra flavor.

How to make a sandwich the night before? ›

By using cling wrap or placing into storage containers in the fridge before the party (particularly if made the night before!), your ingredients should stay as fresh as possible. The air-tightness of your container will prevent the bread from going stale.

How to make a juicy sandwich? ›

Spread mayo, butter or cream cheese all the way to the edges of each slice of bread to create a seal against wet sandwich fillings. Also, try packing high moisture ingredients, like tomatoes, pickles, and cucumbers, separately. Just add them to the sandwich when you're ready to eat. Toasting the bread can help, too.

How to spice up deli sandwiches? ›

Simple Sandwich Upgrades
  1. Bring On the Grilled Vegetables. It is grilling season, after all. ...
  2. Make It Fruity. Sweeten up your sandwich with fresh or dried fruit, whichever you happen to have on hand. ...
  3. Swap Breads. Put it on a pita. ...
  4. Crown It With Condiments. ...
  5. Pump Up the Crunch.

Is cream cheese more fattening than mayonnaise? ›

If using regular versions of both, cream cheese is a slightly better option. Is cream cheese healthier than mayo? One tablespoon of regular mayonnaise has 94 calories and 10 grams of fat. A tablespoon of whipped cream cheese has 30 calories and two and a half grams of fat.

Is sour cream substitute for cream cheese? ›

Sour cream replicates cream cheese's taste but isn't quite as caloric, making it a good choice for a lower-calorie substitute. It gives baked goods a texture that's airy and moist, and even adds an extra bit of creaminess to cheesecake. You can substitute an equal amount of sour cream for cream cheese in recipes.

What is the best sandwich before bed? ›

Best: Half a Turkey Sandwich

And turkey has tryptophan, an amino acid that helps to make you sleepy.

How far in advance can I make sandwiches for a party? ›

Easy serving: Cut the sandwich at home, then rewrap for easy serving at the park or picnic. Make ahead: This sandwich can be made 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Storage: Tightly wrapped and stored in the refrigerator, leftovers will last up to 3 days.

What is the secret of good sandwich? ›

Moisture is important. Nobody wants a dry sandwich, so be generous with the sauces and spreads. Freshly-made sandwiches are usually the best sandwiches, but that's not always possible - so think about how well your ingredients are going to last the distance (e.g. if the filling is too wet, will the bread get soggy?)

What is the best tomato for a sandwich? ›

Because beefsteak tomatoes have a high-water content, they're best eaten raw in salads or sandwiches. Try slicing beefsteaks to top burgers or layer into sandwiches, such as a Classic Club Sandwich, Tomato Tea Sandwiches, or these Almost-Famous Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Flatbread Sandwiches.

What seasoning goes good on sandwiches? ›

Raid the Spice Drawer: Curry, herbs de provence, smoked paprika, or even coarsely ground pepper are all great. Maple Syrup: Ok, hear this one out. Almost equal parts mayo and maple syrup, plus a slug of apple cider vinegar.

What spices to add to sandwich? ›

A little bit of salt and pepper can go a long way in enhancing the flavors of your ingredients. You can also add herbs and spices like basil, oregano, or garlic powder to give your sandwich an extra punch of flavor. And don't forget about the bread itself.

What makes a deli sandwich so good? ›

Quality & Freshness

Paulie James, owner of the popular Los Angeles deli Uncle Paulie's, says that a combination of "high-quality ingredients and top-notch bread that complement each other well" sets good deli sandwiches apart from the rest. "When you use fresh, high-quality ingredients, you can taste the difference.

What is the best substitute for cream cheese? ›

Greek yogurt is a great alternative to cream cheese. It also gives your favorite dishes a healthy twist because it's rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12 ( 3 ). Use an equal amount of Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese to make dips, spreads, frostings, and baked goods.

What can I substitute if I don't have cream cheese? ›

11 Cream Cheese Substitutes to Try if You're All Out of Schmear
  • 01 of 11. Neufchâtel Cheese. ...
  • 02 of 11. Greek Yogurt. ...
  • 03 of 11. Mascarpone Cheese. ...
  • 04 of 11. Vegan Cream Cheese. ...
  • 05 of 11. Labneh. ...
  • 06 of 11. Cottage Cheese. ...
  • 07 of 11. Ricotta Cheese. ...
  • 08 of 11. Silken Tofu.
Feb 23, 2023

Can you substitute cream cheese with something else? ›

Sour cream is more tangy and less firm than cream cheese, but adds a similar richness to recipes. Use it in place of cream cheese in savory dips and sauces. For maximum richness, use full-fat sour cream, which has about 2/3 of the saturated fat of cream cheese.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dan Stracke

Last Updated:

Views: 6481

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dan Stracke

Birthday: 1992-08-25

Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

Phone: +398735162064

Job: Investor Government Associate

Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.