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 started as a fun way to get my kids excited about lunch and it quickly became a family favorite for gatherings and school lunches alike.
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 train sandwich board always brings smiles to my family's faces and sparks imagination at mealtime.
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, Total Fat: 10 g, Carbohydrates: 42 g, Protein: 10 g (per serving)
Pin it Try varying the sandwich shapes and colors for new train designs every time you make this recipe.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I create the train tracks for the platter?
Use celery stalks placed parallel as rails and lay pretzel sticks across them as cross-ties to simulate train tracks on the serving board.
- → What ingredients work best for the sandwich fillings?
Try cream cheese with cucumber, peanut butter and jam, or cheddar with turkey or ham. Adjust fillings to suit dietary preferences like nut-free or vegan options.
- → How can I make the sandwich wheels stay attached?
Use round cucumber slices and cherry tomato halves as wheels, securing them with a small dab of cream cheese to keep them in place.
- → Can this platter be adapted for gluten-free diets?
Yes, use gluten-free bread and appropriate spreads to accommodate gluten-free requirements without compromising fun presentation.
- → What are some decoration tips for the train engine?
Use red and yellow bell pepper slices to add details like windows and engine features, enhancing the visual appeal of the train.
- → Is this platter suitable for younger children?
While fun, supervise young children to avoid choking hazards from small or hard vegetables included in the arrangement.