Ham Cheese Christmas Towers

Featured in: Seasonal Flavors

These festive holiday towers feature soft white bread layered with savory ham, creamy Swiss cheese, and a flavorful herbed butter spread. Cut into whimsical Christmas tree shapes with a cookie cutter, they're garnished with cherry tomatoes or olives as tree toppers and fresh herbs for a colorful presentation. Quick to assemble and ideal for gatherings, these bite-sized stacks bring fun and flavor to any celebration.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:54:00 GMT
Festive mini Christmas tree sandwiches with layers of ham, cheese, and herbed butter, ready to serve. Save
Festive mini Christmas tree sandwiches with layers of ham, cheese, and herbed butter, ready to serve. | cinnamonglow.com

Festive mini sandwiches stacked and cut into whimsical Christmas tree shapes, perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft bread, savory ham, creamy cheese, and a touch of herbed butter make these treats both fun and delicious.

I love making these mini sandwiches for holiday parties because they bring joy and delicious bites that everyone enjoys.

Ingredients

  • Bread: 12 slices soft white sandwich bread (crusts removed)
  • Filling: 6 slices cooked ham
  • Filling: 6 slices Swiss cheese (or cheddar, as preferred)
  • Filling: 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • Filling: 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
  • Filling: 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Garnish: 12 small cherry tomatoes or pimento-stuffed olives (for tree toppers)
  • Garnish: Fresh parsley or dill sprigs (for decoration)

Instructions

Step 1:
Mix the softened butter, chopped chives, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl until well combined.
Step 2:
Lay out the bread slices and spread the herbed butter thinly on one side of each slice.
Step 3:
On six slices, layer a slice of ham and a slice of cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side down, to form sandwiches.
Step 4:
Using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut each sandwich into tree shapes, saving the scraps for another use.
Step 5:
Secure each mini sandwich stack with a cocktail stick. Top with a cherry tomato or olive as the tree topper.
Step 6:
Arrange on a platter and garnish with parsley or dill sprigs for a festive look. Serve immediately.
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Making these treats always brings my family together and lights up our holiday celebrations.

Notes

Serve with a honey mustard dip for extra zing and try different cheese types to suit your taste.

Required Tools

Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, small mixing bowl, spreading knife, cocktail sticks

Allergen Information

Contains gluten (bread), dairy (butter, cheese), and pork (ham). Mustard is a potential allergen. For allergen-free options, use gluten-free bread, dairy-free cheese, and vegetarian fillings.

Delicious ham and cheese mini sandwiches, cut into Christmas tree shapes, and garnished for a flavorful appetizer. Save
Delicious ham and cheese mini sandwiches, cut into Christmas tree shapes, and garnished for a flavorful appetizer. | cinnamonglow.com

These mini Christmas tree sandwiches are the perfect festive bite for any holiday gathering.

Recipe FAQ Section

What bread works best for these towers?

Soft, white sandwich bread with crusts removed creates a tender base that holds the fillings well and cuts cleanly into shapes.

Can I substitute the ham for a vegetarian option?

Yes, thinly sliced cucumber or roasted red pepper are excellent vegetarian alternatives that complement the cheese and herbed butter.

How do I prevent sandwiches from becoming soggy?

Spread a thin layer of herbed butter on the bread to create a moisture barrier, helping keep the layers fresh and flavorful.

What is the purpose of the cocktail sticks?

Cocktail sticks secure the stacked layers together and hold the decorative toppings like cherry tomatoes or olives in place.

Can I prepare these ahead of time?

For best texture, assemble just before serving. If needed, prepare components in advance and assemble shortly prior to the event.

What are some garnish ideas for presentation?

Fresh parsley or dill sprigs add a festive touch and vibrant green color, enhancing the holiday tree effect.

Ham Cheese Christmas Towers

Soft bread stacked with ham, cheese, and herbed butter cut into fun holiday shapes.

Prep duration
20 min
0
Complete duration
20 min
Created by Hannah Collins

Classification Seasonal Flavors

Skill level Easy

Cultural Origin American

Output 12 Portion count

Dietary considerations None specified

Components

Bread

01 12 slices soft white sandwich bread, crusts removed

Filling

01 6 slices cooked ham
02 6 slices Swiss cheese or cheddar
03 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
04 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
05 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Garnish

01 12 small cherry tomatoes or pimento-stuffed olives
02 Fresh parsley or dill sprigs

Method

Phase 01

Prepare Herbed Butter: Combine softened butter, chopped chives, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl, mixing until uniform.

Phase 02

Butter Bread Slices: Spread the herbed butter thinly over one side of each bread slice.

Phase 03

Assemble Sandwiches: On six slices, layer one slice of ham and one slice of cheese each; cover with remaining slices, buttered side down, to form sandwiches.

Phase 04

Shape Sandwiches: Using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut each sandwich into tree shapes, reserving scraps for another use.

Phase 05

Add Toppers: Secure each sandwich stack with a cocktail stick and top with a cherry tomato or olive as a festive topper.

Phase 06

Garnish and Serve: Arrange sandwiches on a platter and adorn with parsley or dill sprigs. Serve immediately.

Tools needed

  • Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Spreading knife
  • Cocktail sticks

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare professional if you're uncertain about any ingredients.
  • Contains gluten (bread), dairy (butter, cheese), pork (ham), and mustard.

Nutritional breakdown (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 130
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Protein Content: 6 g