Pin This 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 is a favorite at family lunches where the kids love building and eating their own edible 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 This Our family always gathers around the lunch platter with smiles as the kids enjoy their edible train creations 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 approximately 310 Total Fat 10 g Carbohydrates 42 g Protein 10 g per serving
Pin This This fun platter is sure to become a regular lunch idea that inspires creativity and healthy choices.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I create the edible train tracks?
Use celery stalks arranged parallel to form rails and lay pretzel sticks across them at intervals to mimic cross-ties.
- → What are good fillings for the sandwich cars?
Try combinations like cream cheese with cucumber, peanut butter and strawberry jam, cheddar with turkey or ham, or any preferred spreads and fillings.
- → How can I make this suitable for nut allergies?
Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or other nut-free spreads and consider dairy-free cheese alternatives.
- → What vegetables work well for decoration?
Cucumber slices and cherry tomato halves make great wheels, while red and yellow bell peppers add detail to the engine. Baby carrots round out the platter.
- → Can this be prepared ahead of time?
For best freshness, assemble just before serving. Prepare sandwich fillings and cut veggies in advance for easy assembly.