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To make Christmas Tree Sandwiches, gather these main items: - 8 slices of whole grain bread - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped - 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced - 1/2 cup roasted red pepper, sliced into strips - 1/2 cup cooked turkey or chicken slices - 1 cup spinach leaves - 1 tablespoon pesto - Edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles for decoration These ingredients give you a tasty base for your fun treats. The whole grain bread adds health, while cream cheese gives creaminess. Fresh dill adds a nice herb flavor. Cucumber and red peppers add crunch and color. Turkey or chicken bring protein to the mix. Spinach adds nutrition and a nice green look. Pesto gives a unique touch, and glitter makes everything festive! You can easily change flavors and textures with these optional ingredients: - Sliced avocado for creaminess - Hummus for a different spread - Sliced olives for a briny kick - Shredded cheese for extra flavor Feel free to swap any of these into your sandwiches. Avocado adds a smooth taste. Hummus can replace cream cheese for a plant-based option. Olives are great for a salty bite, and cheese makes everything better! Want to switch things up? Try these fun variations: - Use different breads like rye or sourdough - Add roasted veggies for a hearty touch - Experiment with different meats like ham or roast beef - Try flavored cream cheese, like garlic or herb These changes let you create your own unique sandwich. Different breads can add a fun twist. Roasted veggies are great for extra flavor and health. Change up the meats for new tastes. Flavored cream cheese adds great depth and interest. Just have fun with it! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, grab 8 slices of whole grain bread. Using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut each slice into tree shapes. You will get two trees from each slice. That gives you 16 festive tree shapes. Set these aside for now. Next, take 4 ounces of softened cream cheese and put it in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of fresh, chopped dill to the bowl. Mix these together until you have a smooth spread. This mixture will add a nice flavor to our sandwiches. Now it’s time to build our sandwiches. Take half of the tree shapes, which is 8 trees. Spread the dill cream cheese mixture on one side of these tree shapes. On top of the cream cheese, layer a few spinach leaves. Then, add slices of cucumber, roasted red pepper strips, and turkey or chicken slices. Finally, take the other half of the tree shapes and spread a thin layer of pesto on one side. Place these on top of the filled bases, cream cheese side down. This makes a fun sandwich tree! Arrange the finished sandwiches on a platter. Now for the fun part! Sprinkle edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles on top of each sandwich tree. This adds a festive touch. If you want a neat look, trim the edges of the sandwiches. For a great presentation, stand the sandwiches upright. You can also add small decorative stars around them for extra cheer! When making Christmas tree sandwiches, use a sharp cookie cutter. Cut each slice of bread firmly to shape the trees. Aim for even cuts to keep the trees looking nice. You can get two trees from each slice. This makes it easy to have enough for everyone. If the bread tears, press gently to fix it. Keep the shapes close together for a neat look. Select fillings that add color and flavor. Cream cheese is a great base. Mix it with fresh dill for a tasty spread. You can add layers of spinach, cucumber, and roasted red peppers. These add crunch and freshness. For protein, choose turkey or chicken. You can swap these for other meats or even stay meatless. Keep in mind that mixing flavors makes each bite exciting. For a fun display, arrange the sandwiches upright on a platter. This creates a little forest of trees! Add small stars or edible ornaments around the base for a cheerful touch. You can also sprinkle edible glitter on top for a festive look. This makes the sandwiches not just tasty but also fun to see. Remember, we eat with our eyes first! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh herbs and vegetables to enhance the flavor and presentation of your sandwiches. Layer Wisely: For the best texture and taste, layer your fillings strategically starting with leafy greens to absorb moisture. Make Ahead: Prepare the cream cheese spread and cut the bread shapes in advance to save time on the day of serving. Garnish Creatively: Enhance the festive look by adding edible glitter or colorful sprinkles sparingly for a delightful finishing touch. {{image_2}} You can easily make these sandwiches vegetarian. Swap turkey or chicken for more veggies. Try adding roasted mushrooms or sliced bell peppers for extra flavor. Avocado also works great. Make sure to use a cream cheese spread with herbs to enhance taste. For a gluten-free version, choose gluten-free bread. Many brands offer tasty options. You can still use all the same fillings. Just check that your spreads, like pesto and cream cheese, are gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy them. You can mix up the spreads and fillings for fun. Instead of cream cheese, try hummus or a veggie dip. For fillings, consider shredded carrots or zucchini. You can also use cheese slices or roasted vegetables. Get creative with different flavors to make each sandwich unique! To keep your Christmas tree sandwiches fresh, store them in an airtight container. Layer parchment paper between the sandwiches to avoid sticking. This keeps the fun shapes intact. Refrigerate the container right after making them. If you use any warm ingredients, let them cool first. These sandwiches last about two days in the fridge. After that, the bread can get soggy. Keep an eye on any fresh ingredients like cucumber and spinach. They may spoil faster than the other items. If you want to enjoy them warm, reheat in the oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes. This warms them up while keeping them crispy. Avoid using a microwave, as it can make the bread chewy. Yes, you can make Christmas Tree Sandwiches ahead of time. Prepare the sandwiches and store them in the fridge. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to two days. Just add the edible glitter or sprinkles right before serving for a festive touch. You can use many other themes for sandwich shapes. Try stars, snowflakes, or even gingerbread men. Cookie cutters come in many fun shapes. You can match your sandwich shapes to your party theme or season. Kids love fun shapes, so this is a great way to make lunch exciting. To enhance the flavors of the cream cheese spread, mix in herbs, spices, or other flavors. Add garlic powder for a savory kick. You can also mix in chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes for a twist. A squeeze of lemon juice adds freshness. Experiment with different flavors to find what you like best. Yes, there are kid-friendly versions of this recipe. Use plain cream cheese for picky eaters. You can swap out turkey for ham or use just cheese. Add fun colors to the sandwiches with different veggies. Kids can help with the decorating, making it a fun activity. Creating Christmas Tree Sandwiches is fun and easy. We covered main and optional ingredients, step-by-step prep, and tips for design. You can customize with variations like vegetarian or gluten-free. Remember to store any leftovers properly and know how long they stay fresh. In the end, these sandwiches can bring joy to your holiday meals. Try them out at your next gathering!

Christmas Tree Sandwiches

Festive sandwiches shaped like Christmas trees, filled with cream cheese, turkey, and vegetables.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 8 slices whole grain bread
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 0.5 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cup roasted red pepper, sliced into strips
  • 0.5 cup cooked turkey or chicken slices
  • 1 cup spinach leaves
  • 1 tablespoon pesto
  • edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles for decoration

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Bread: Using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut each slice of bread into the shape of a tree. You should be able to get two trees from each slice, so you’ll end up with 16 tree shapes in total.
  • Make the Cream Cheese Spread: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and chopped dill until well blended.
  • Assemble the Base Layer: Spread a layer of the dill cream cheese mixture onto one side of half of the tree shapes (8 trees).
  • Add Fillings: On top of the cream cheese, layer the spinach leaves, followed by slices of cucumber, roasted red pepper strips, and turkey or chicken slices.
  • Top It Off: Spread a thin layer of pesto on the remaining half of the tree shapes (the tops). Press the pesto-covered slices gently on top of the decorated bases, cream cheese side down, creating a sandwich.
  • Decorate: Arrange the sandwiches on a platter. Sprinkle edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles on top of each sandwich tree for a festive touch.
  • Cut Edges (Optional): For a neat presentation, trim the edges of the sandwiches if desired.

Notes

Arrange the sandwiches standing upright on a platter for a whimsical presentation.
Keyword Christmas, holiday, sandwiches