Save 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.
I love how this train track sandwich board makes lunchtime interactive and enjoyable for my children. It sparks their imagination and makes eating veggies fun.
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 It This recipe often brings our family together as everyone loves to help build and eat their own train cars. It creates fun memories around meal times.
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.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~310, Total Fat: 10 g, Carbohydrates: 42 g, Protein: 10 g per serving
Save It This train track sandwich board is a playful and delicious way to get kids excited about lunch while enjoying a nutritious meal.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → How do I create the edible train tracks?
Use celery stalks laid parallel as rails and place pretzel sticks across them at intervals to mimic cross-ties, creating a crunchy track base.
- → What sandwiches work best for the train cars?
Cut sandwiches from whole wheat or white bread with fillings like cream cheese and cucumber, peanut butter and jam, or cheddar with turkey for variety and texture.
- → How can I make this suitable for nut-free diets?
Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and select nut-free sandwich fillings to accommodate dietary needs safely.
- → How do I safely serve this to young children?
Supervise children while eating and avoid serving small hard veggies whole; cutting or softening can help prevent choking risks.
- → What vegetables are used to decorate the train?
Cucumber rounds and cherry tomato halves act as wheels, while sliced red and yellow bell peppers add distinctive engine details and colorful windows.
- → Can this platter be customized for gluten-free diets?
Yes, replace the bread with gluten-free options and ensure all other ingredients meet gluten-free standards for safe consumption.