Holiday stacks of soft bread layered with ham, cheese, and herbed butter shaped like Christmas trees.
# Components:
→ Bread
01 - 12 slices soft white sandwich bread, crusts removed
→ Filling
02 - 6 slices cooked ham
03 - 6 slices Swiss cheese (or cheddar, optional)
04 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
→ Garnish
07 - 12 small cherry tomatoes or pimento-stuffed olives for tree toppers
08 - Fresh parsley or dill sprigs for decoration
# Method:
01 - Combine softened butter, chopped chives, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl until well blended.
02 - Spread the herbed butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
03 - On six buttered slices, layer a slice of ham and a slice of cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side down, to form sandwiches.
04 - Using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut each sandwich into tree shapes, reserving scraps for another use.
05 - Pierce each mini sandwich stack with a cocktail stick and top with a cherry tomato or olive as a tree topper.
06 - Arrange the mini sandwich trees on a platter and decorate with parsley or dill sprigs. Serve immediately.
