Save to Pinterest A playful and creative lunchbox treat featuring sandwiches cut into horse head shapes, perfect for kids and themed parties.
This recipe has become a favorite for my kids' lunchboxes, making meals more enjoyable and engaging.
Ingredients
- Sandwich Base: 8 slices soft whole wheat or white sandwich bread
- Filling: 4 tbsp cream cheese, softened, 4 slices mild cheddar cheese, 4 slices deli turkey or ham (optional, or substitute with cucumber slices for vegetarian option)
- Decoration: 8 small black olives (for eyes and nostrils), 1 small carrot, julienned (for mane), 2 tbsp mayonnaise or butter (for spreading, optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Lay out the bread slices and lightly spread with mayonnaise or butter, if desired.
- Step 2:
- Using a horse head-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 8 horse head shapes from the bread slices.
- Step 3:
- For each sandwich, layer one cutout with a slice of cheese and a slice of turkey or ham or cucumber. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the inside of the top cutout.
- Step 4:
- Place the top bread cutout over the filling to assemble the sandwich.
- Step 5:
- Decorate each horse head with small pieces of black olive for eyes and nostrils, using a dab of cream cheese to adhere if needed.
- Step 6:
- Arrange julienned carrot strips along the neck or top of the head to resemble a mane.
- Step 7:
- Pack the sandwiches carefully into lunchboxes to maintain their shape.
Save to Pinterest We always enjoy making these together as a family, especially letting the kids assemble and decorate their own sandwiches.
Notes
Serve with fresh fruit and veggie sticks for a balanced meal.
Required Tools
Horse head-shaped cookie cutter, small paring knife, spreader or butter knife
Allergen Information
Contains wheat&gluten, dairy, and possibly soy depending on cheese or bread. May contain egg if using mayonnaise and meat if using deli turkey or ham. Always check ingredient labels for allergen safety.
Save to Pinterest This recipe is a simple yet delightful way to make lunch exciting and nutritious for kids.
Questions & Answers
- → What ingredients make up the filling?
The filling includes softened cream cheese, mild cheddar cheese slices, and deli turkey or ham, with cucumber slices as a vegetarian alternative.
- → How do I decorate the horse head sandwiches?
Small black olives serve as eyes and nostrils, while julienned carrots create a mane along the neck or top of each sandwich.
- → Can these sandwiches be made vegan?
Yes, replace dairy cheese with plant-based alternatives and omit deli meats for a vegan-friendly option.
- → What type of bread works best?
Soft whole wheat or white sandwich bread slices are ideal for easy cutting and layering in these sandwiches.
- → How can kids get involved in making these sandwiches?
Children can help spread the cream cheese, arrange fillings, and decorate each horse head with olives and carrot pieces for a fun activity.
- → Are there any allergen considerations?
These sandwiches contain wheat/gluten and dairy, with optional inclusion of eggs (mayonnaise) and meat products, so check ingredient labels accordingly.