Cream Cheese Sandwiches With Dates, Pecans and Rosemary

Cream Cheese Sandwiches With Dates, Pecans and Rosemary
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Iah Pinkney.
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(165)
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.

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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)

181 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; 14 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.

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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
165 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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!

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 ;)

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

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

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.

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

Great snack that pairs well with a charcuterie plate

Lightly toasting the bread adds a nice crunch.

Very easy and delicious.

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

Delicious and perfect for vegetarian guests.

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