Pin It A playful and creative lunch platter featuring assorted sandwiches arranged to look like train cars running along edible tracks—perfect for delighting kids and encouraging healthy eating.
This idea came from trying to make lunchtime more fun for my children and seeing how excited they were to eat their sandwiches arranged as a train.
Ingredients
- Bread & Sandwich Fillings: 8 slices whole wheat or white sandwich bread, 4 tbsp cream cheese, 4 tbsp peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free), 4 tbsp strawberry jam, 4 slices cheddar cheese, 4 slices turkey or ham (optional)
- Edible Train Tracks & Decorations: 2 large celery stalks (for tracks), 1 cup pretzel sticks (for cross-ties), 16 round cucumber slices (for wheels), 8 cherry tomatoes (halved, for wheels), 1 red bell pepper (for train engine details), 1 yellow bell pepper (for train windows), 1 cup baby carrots
Instructions
- Prepare the Sandwiches:
- Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut bread slices into rectangles (train cars) and one larger shape for the engine. Make assorted sandwiches: spread cream cheese and cucumber, peanut butter and jam, cheddar with turkey or ham, or any desired fillings. Assemble and gently press sandwiches together.
- Arrange the Tracks:
- Place celery stalks parallel on a large platter or board to form rails. Lay pretzel sticks across the celery at intervals to create cross-ties.
- Build the Train:
- Place sandwich rectangles on top of the tracks as train cars. Use cucumber rounds and cherry tomato halves as wheels, attaching with a dab of cream cheese if needed. Decorate the engine using bell pepper slices for details and windows.
- Add Extras:
- Place baby carrots, extra cucumber rounds, and additional veggies around the board for snacking and color.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately letting kids drive their train cars along the tracks before eating.
Pin It Making this sandwich train platter is a joyful family activity that brings smiles and encourages kids to try new healthy foods together.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or board, sharp knife or cookie cutters, spreading knife, small bowls (optional for dips)
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (bread), dairy (cream cheese, cheese), and possible nuts (peanut butter). Use nut-free spreads and gluten-free or dairy-free alternatives as needed. Always double-check ingredient labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~310 per serving, Total Fat: 10 g, Carbohydrates: 42 g, Protein: 10 g
Pin It This whimsical train sandwich board is sure to bring delight and nutrition together in a creative way.
Recipe FAQs
- → How can I adapt the ingredient list for allergies?
Use nut-free spreads like sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter, and opt for dairy-free or vegan cheese alternatives. Gluten-free bread can also be substituted as needed.
- → What is the best way to assemble the train cars?
Cut sandwiches into rectangle shapes using cookie cutters or a knife, and gently press fillings together. Arrange them on celery stalks laid as rails and use pretzel sticks for cross ties.
- → How do the cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes function on the board?
The cucumber rounds and halved cherry tomatoes act as wheels, attached to sandwiches with a dab of cream cheese to keep them in place.
- → Are there suggestions for adding variety to the platter?
Feel free to swap fillings based on preferences or dietary needs, add fruits like grapes or apple slices for sweet cargo, and include extra veggies for color and nutrition.
- → What tools are helpful for preparing this platter?
A large serving board, sharp knife or cookie cutters for shaping bread, and spreading knives for evenly applying fillings will make assembly easier.