Save A playful and creative lunchbox treat featuring sandwiches cut into horse head shapes, perfect for kids and themed parties.
I enjoy making these horse head sandwiches with my children, letting them decorate their own lunch.
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 Making these sandwiches brings smiles and excitement at our family lunches.
Notes
Let kids help assemble and decorate their own horse heads for a fun lunch activity. 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 These sandwiches are a delightful and healthy addition to any lunchbox that sparks creativity and joy.
Recipe FAQ
- → What bread works best for the horse head shapes?
Soft whole wheat or white sandwich bread is ideal for easy cutting and maintaining shape.
- → Can I make these sandwiches vegetarian?
Yes, substituting deli meats with cucumber slices and using plant-based cheese makes it vegetarian or vegan friendly.
- → How do I create the horse mane decoration?
Julienned carrot strips arranged along the neck or top of the bread cutout simulate a colorful mane.
- → What can be used to attach the olive pieces for eyes and nostrils?
A small dab of cream cheese acts as a natural adhesive to secure olive decorations in place.
- → Are these sandwiches suitable for kids’ lunchboxes?
Absolutely, they make a fun and playful addition to any child’s lunch, encouraging creative eating.