Save 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 was a big hit with my children—they loved driving their sandwich trains along the tracks before eating!
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.
Save This meal brought my family together around the table—the kids helped assemble the train and were proud of their creation.
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
Save This playful lunch is as fun to make as it is to eat—perfect for a family gathering or kids' party.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I create the train tracks?
Use celery stalks placed parallel as rails, then lay pretzel sticks across at intervals to mimic cross-ties.
- → What ingredients work well for the sandwich fillings?
Try cream cheese and cucumber, peanut butter and jam, or cheddar with deli meat; substitutions can be made for allergies.
- → Can this lunch option accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, use gluten-free bread or nut-free spreads and vegan cheese to adapt as needed.
- → How are the sandwich wheels created?
Attach cucumber slices and cherry tomato halves with a dab of cream cheese to act as wheels for the train cars.
- → What tools help with assembling this platter?
Cookie cutters or a sharp knife help shape the sandwiches, while a spreading knife aids with fillings.