Cheese Dreams

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These quick and easy Cheese Dreams are ultra rich and buttery, and packed with melty, crispy cheese for the ultimate crowd-pleasing party appetizer. With only 7 ingredients, I guarantee these will disappear before your eyes in seconds.

Prep Time30

Cook Time20

Total Time1

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheese, christmas

Servings: servings

Calories: 110kcal

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter softened
2 cups finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 large egg
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 ounce package white sandwich bread slices

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.
Add the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, dry mustard, and cayenne. Mix until fully combined and creamy.
Lay bread slices on a work surface. Remove the edges and discard or save for another recipe. Quarter each slice. Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture evenly over half of the quartered pieces, going all the way to the edges.
Place pieces cheese-side up on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Top with the remaining quartered bread slices.
Spread the remaining cheese mixture on the tops and sides of each square.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese topping is bubbly, edges are lightly golden, and the bottoms are crisp.
Let cool for 2–3 minutes before transferring to a serving platter.

Notes

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350° until melty and hot.
We don't recommend freezing leftovers, as the texture can change and turn mushy.
Prep these ahead of time — assemble in advance and store in the fridge on a baking sheet or in an airtight container. Bake straight from the fridge according to the recipe instructions and serve.

Tips

Use freshly shredded cheese. Grate your own for the best melt. The pre-shredded packaged cheese can have a coating that prevents it from melting well, and it can have a grainy texture.
Don’t overbake. Avoid baking these for too long or the bread can become too crunchy. Cook them just until everything is melty, golden, and the tops and edges are starting to crisp up.
Serve immediately. These are best enjoyed straight from the oven while they're warm and gooey.
Use a sheet pan for easy entertaining. Assemble and bake a big batch on a parchment lined sheet pan. You can fit a bunch on there. Then serve straight from the pan once it cools. No need to dirty another platter!
Add a sprinkle of paprika. A little goes a long way for a pop of added color and flavor. Try adding a dash of garlic powder or onion powder for even more flavor, or Old Bay or ranch seasoning for a zesty twist. You could even add fresh herbs like chives into the cheese spread.

Nutrition