GUYANESE CHEESE PASTE SANDWICHES
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Festive, nostalgic and always present!
There are certain foods that don’t just show up they belong. Guyanese cheese paste sandwiches are one of those things.
You’ll see them at Easter, baby showers, funerals, birthday parties… and sometimes just on a regular day when someone wanted to make something special out of something simple. Bright, soft, delicate but full of flavor.
Traditionally made with Anchor cheese, that sharp creamy white cheese that gives the paste its signature taste. But when that’s not on hand, we make it work because that’s what we’ve always done. A mix of sharp yellow and white cheddar brings you right back!
It’s not just about the sandwich, it’s about the look, the feel and the memory. The soft bread, the smooth spread, the pastel colors lined up on a table full of Guyanese favorites.
This is one of those recipes that reminds you: simple can still feel special.
Yield: 18–24 tea sandwiches | Total Time: 30–40 minutes | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Cheese Paste
• 12 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
(6 oz yellow + 6 oz white preferred or all one type)
• 4 oz (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1–2 tsp yellow mustard
• ½–1 tsp Caribbean pepper sauce
• 1–2 tsp Dash of Dacy Garlic Onion Herb (or similar blend)
• Food coloring gel (red/pink, green, yellow/orange)
• ½–1 tsp Dash of Dacy Salt & Pepper Blend (to taste)
• 1–2 tsp Dash of Dacy Garlic Onion Herb (or similar blend)
For Assembly
• Sliced white bread (Texas toast or classic sandwich bread)
Method
1. Build the Base Paste
Add the shredded cheese to a food processor and blend until it begins to break down and smooth out.
Pro Tip:
Let your cheese sit out for a bit before blending cold cheese won’t break down as smoothly.
2. Add the Flavor
Add in the softened butter, mustard, pepper sauce and Dash of Dacy Garlic Onion Herb seasoning. Blend until a smooth, creamy, spreadable paste forms.
Pro Tip:
You’re looking for a soft, whipped texture not stiff. Let it fully blend so everything emulsifies nicely.
3. Season Last
Add the Dash of Dacy Salt & Pepper Blend and adjust to taste.
Pro Tip:
Cheese already carries salt. Season at the end so you stay in control of the flavor.
4. Divide & Color
Divide the cheese paste evenly into 3 separate bowls. Add a small amount of gel food coloring to each and mix until you get soft pastel tones.
Pro Tips:
Gel coloring keeps the texture intact. White cheddar gives softer pastel shades. Yellow cheddar will deepen the color slightly.
5. Assemble the Sandwiches
Lay out your bread slices in matching sizes. Spread one color onto a slice, top with another slice of bread, then add a second color and finish with a third slice.
Pro Tip:
Keep similar sized slices together front, middle and end pieces vary and this keeps your sandwiches even once trimmed.
6. Trim & Cut
Cut the crusts off first, then slice diagonally into triangles. For smaller bites, cut again to create mini tea sandwiches.
Pro Tips & Notes
• Shred your own cheese for the smoothest paste.
• Keep bread sizes consistent for clean, even sandwiches.
• Make it with the kids, let them spread the colors and build.
• Refrigerate extra cheese paste and bring to room temp before using.
Simple, colorful and always a favorite. This is one of those recipes that shows up and disappears just as fast.