Horse Head Sandwich Cutouts

Featured in: Picnic Food

Create whimsical horse head sandwiches using soft bread slices cut with a cookie cutter. Layer cheese and deli meat or cucumber, spread with cream cheese, and decorate with olives and julienned carrot mane. These easy, creative cutouts make lunchtime fun and visually appealing for kids or themed gatherings. Customize with vegetarian or vegan options by swapping ingredients as needed. A delightful, simple treat packed with flavor and playful presentation.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:32:00 GMT
Horse Head Sandwich cutouts with black olive eyes and carrot manes for a fun kid's lunch. Save It
Horse Head Sandwich cutouts with black olive eyes and carrot manes for a fun kid's lunch. | sunnyspoonful.com

A playful and creative lunchbox treat featuring sandwiches cut into horse head shapes, perfect for kids and themed parties.

This recipe quickly became a favorite at family lunches and kids' parties, adding a playful twist to the usual sandwich.

Ingredients

  • Sandwich Base: 8 slices soft whole wheat or white sandwich bread
  • Filling: 4 tbsp cream cheese, softened, 4 slices mild cheddar cheese, 4 slices deli turkey or ham (optional, or substitute with cucumber slices for vegetarian option)
  • Decoration: 8 small black olives (for eyes and nostrils), 1 small carrot, julienned (for mane), 2 tbsp mayonnaise or butter (for spreading, optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Lay out the bread slices and lightly spread with mayonnaise or butter, if desired.
Step 2:
Using a horse head-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 8 horse head shapes from the bread slices.
Step 3:
For each sandwich, layer one cutout with a slice of cheese and a slice of turkey/ham or cucumber. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the inside of the top cutout.
Step 4:
Place the top bread cutout over the filling to assemble the sandwich.
Step 5:
Decorate each horse head with small pieces of black olive for eyes and nostrils, using a dab of cream cheese to adhere if needed.
Step 6:
Arrange julienned carrot strips along the neck or top of the head to resemble a mane.
Step 7:
Pack the sandwiches carefully into lunchboxes to maintain their shape.
Homemade Horse Head Sandwiches featuring cheese, meat, and olives, ready to enjoy in a lunch box. Save It
Homemade Horse Head Sandwiches featuring cheese, meat, and olives, ready to enjoy in a lunch box. | sunnyspoonful.com

It's always a joy to see kids excited about their lunchbox treats, especially when they've helped prepare them.

Notes

Let kids help assemble and decorate their own horse heads for a fun lunch activity. Serve with fresh fruit and veggie sticks for a balanced meal.

Required Tools

Horse head-shaped cookie cutter, small paring knife, spreader or butter knife

Allergen Information

Contains wheat/gluten, dairy, and possibly soy (depending on cheese or bread). May contain egg (if using mayonnaise) and meat (if using deli turkey/ham). Always check ingredient labels for allergen safety.

Adorable Horse Head Sandwich cutouts perfect for kids, a playful snack with tasty, colorful toppings. Save It
Adorable Horse Head Sandwich cutouts perfect for kids, a playful snack with tasty, colorful toppings. | sunnyspoonful.com

This whimsical sandwich idea brings fun to the lunch table and encourages creativity in the kitchen.

Recipe FAQs

What type of bread works best for the horse head shapes?

Soft whole wheat or white sandwich bread is ideal as it holds shapes well without breaking.

Can I make these cutouts vegetarian?

Yes, substitute deli meat with cucumber slices and use vegetarian cheese or plant-based alternatives.

How do I decorate the horse heads?

Use small black olives for eyes and nostrils and julienned carrots to create a mane effect along the neck.

Is there a way to make these sandwiches vegan?

Replace cream cheese and cheddar with plant-based cheese alternatives and omit meats for a vegan-friendly treat.

What tools are needed for making the sandwiches?

A horse head-shaped cookie cutter, a small paring knife for details, and a spreader or butter knife for layering.

How can I keep sandwiches fresh for lunchboxes?

Assemble sandwiches shortly before serving or store in an airtight container to maintain shape and freshness.

Horse Head Sandwich Cutouts

Playful horse head sandwiches with layered cheese, deli meat, and carrot mane, perfect for themed lunches.

Prep Time
15 mins
0
Total Duration
15 mins
Authored by Lana Bright

Recipe Type Picnic Food

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Style American

Recipe Yield 4 Serving Size

Diet Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Sandwich Base

01 8 slices soft whole wheat or white sandwich bread

Filling

01 4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
02 4 slices mild cheddar cheese
03 4 slices deli turkey or ham (optional, or substitute with cucumber slices for vegetarian option)

Decoration

01 8 small black olives (for eyes and nostrils)
02 1 small carrot, julienned (for mane)
03 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or butter (for spreading, optional)

Directions

Step 01

Prepare bread slices: Arrange bread slices and lightly spread mayonnaise or butter if desired.

Step 02

Cut horse head shapes: Use a horse head-shaped cookie cutter to cut out 8 horse head shapes from the bread slices.

Step 03

Layer sandwich filling: On one bread cutout, layer a slice of cheddar cheese and a slice of turkey or cucumber. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the inside of the top cutout.

Step 04

Assemble sandwiches: Place the top bread cutout over the filling to form the sandwich.

Step 05

Decorate sandwiches: Affix small pieces of black olive for the eyes and nostrils using a dab of cream cheese if needed.

Step 06

Add mane decoration: Arrange julienned carrot strips along the neck or top of the horse head to resemble a mane.

Step 07

Pack sandwiches: Carefully pack sandwiches into lunchboxes to maintain their shape.

Tools You'll Need

  • Horse head-shaped cookie cutter
  • Small paring knife
  • Spreader or butter knife

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient to identify potential allergens, and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat/gluten, dairy, and possibly soy depending on bread and cheese. May contain egg if mayonnaise is used and meat if turkey or ham is included.

Nutrition Details (Per Serving)

This nutritional data is for reference only and isn't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 210
  • Fats: 7 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 26 grams
  • Proteins: 10 grams