Save Festive, bite-sized sandwiches layered in star shapes to resemble mini Christmas trees—perfect for holiday gatherings and kids parties.
I enjoy making these Stacked Star Christmas Tree Sandwiches with my family during the holidays, as the kids love helping cut out the star shapes and assembling the layers.
Ingredients
- Bread: 12 slices white sandwich bread, 12 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
- Fillings: 120 g cream cheese, softened, 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped, 2 tbsp red bell pepper, finely diced, 2 tbsp cucumber, finely diced
- Garnishes: 12 small cherry tomatoes or star-shaped pieces of yellow bell pepper (for tree toppers), 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (for leaves)
- Optional: 1 tbsp mayonnaise, Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, chives, and, if desired, mayonnaise. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Step 2:
- Using star-shaped cookie cutters in 3 different sizes (large, medium, small), cut out star shapes from both types of bread. Aim for 1 large, 1 medium, and 1 small star per sandwich.
- Step 3:
- Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture onto each bread star.
- Step 4:
- Sprinkle diced red bell pepper on one-third, and diced cucumber on another third, to create visual variety and texture.
- Step 5:
- Stack the stars from largest to smallest, alternating bread colors for contrast.
- Step 6:
- Insert a decorative skewer or toothpick through the center of each stack to secure the layers.
- Step 7:
- Top each sandwich stack with a cherry tomato or a star-shaped piece of yellow bell pepper to mimic a Christmas tree topper.
- Step 8:
- Garnish with chopped parsley for a pine needle effect.
- Step 9:
- Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.
Save These sandwiches always bring a smile when my family and I gather around the table during the holidays.
Notes
Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free option. Serve with a festive dip, such as cranberry sauce or honey mustard.
Required Tools
Star-shaped cookie cutters (various sizes), Spreading knife, Mixing bowl, Skewers or toothpicks, Cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (bread) and Milk (cream cheese). May contain Eggs if mayonnaise is used. Check bread and cheese labels for allergies and substitute as needed.
Save Enjoy these adorable sandwiches as a festive snack that’s both fun to make and delicious to eat.
Recipe FAQs
- → What types of bread work best for these star sandwiches?
Soft white and whole wheat sandwich bread are ideal for cleanly cutting star shapes and layering, providing a nice color contrast and texture.
- → Can I make these sandwiches vegetarian friendly?
Yes, simply use cream cheese and fresh vegetables. You can omit optional meat layers for a fully vegetarian option.
- → How do I create the star shapes accurately?
Use star-shaped cookie cutters in various sizes to cut the bread layers neatly, allowing for easy stacking and a festive look.
- → What garnishes can be used to decorate these sandwiches?
Small cherry tomatoes or star-shaped pieces of yellow bell pepper make perfect toppers, with fresh parsley adding a leafy effect.
- → Are there suggestions for alternative fillings?
Try swapping cream cheese with dairy-free spreads or adding thinly sliced turkey or smoked salmon for extra flavor, mindful of dietary preferences.
- → How long can these layered sandwiches be prepared ahead?
They are best served fresh but can be refrigerated for a few hours if covered tightly to maintain freshness and prevent drying.