Pin 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 started as a way to make lunchtime more exciting for my children, and it quickly became a favorite family tradition.
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 Preparing this platter has become a joyful family activity, sparking creativity and conversation at the table.
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
Approximate per serving: Calories 310, Total Fat 10 g, Carbohydrates 42 g, Protein 10 g
Pin This playful lunch is not only nutritious but also brings smiles to the table, perfect for any kid-friendly occasion.
Recipe FAQ
- → How can I make the sandwich board nut-free?
Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter and ensure all spreads and fillings are nut-free to accommodate allergies.
- → What can I use to create the train tracks?
Celery stalks are laid parallel as the rails, with pretzel sticks placed across as cross-ties to form edible tracks.
- → How do I assemble the sandwich train cars?
Cut sandwich bread into rectangles or train-engine shapes using cookie cutters or a knife, then layer chosen fillings before gently pressing sandwiches together.
- → What ingredients work well for sandwich fillings?
Try cream cheese with cucumber, peanut butter with strawberry jam, or cheddar with turkey or ham, adjusting for dietary needs as desired.
- → How can I decorate the train engine for detail?
Use thin slices of red and yellow bell peppers to add features such as engine details and windows, enhancing the playful design.
- → Are there any safety considerations when serving this platter to kids?
Supervise children to avoid choking hazards from small or hard vegetables like carrots and cucumber slices.