Horse Head Sandwich Cutouts

Featured in: Quick Family Favorites

Craft these charming horse head-shaped sandwiches using soft bread slices cut with a themed cutter. Layer with cream cheese, cheddar, and optional deli meat or cucumber for a vegetarian twist. Decorate with black olives for eyes and nostrils and julienned carrots for the mane. A quick and easy lunch or snack idea that adds a creative touch to any meal.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:03:00 GMT
Vibrant Horse Head Sandwich cutouts with black olive eyes and carrot manes for a fun kid's lunch. Save
Vibrant Horse Head Sandwich cutouts with black olive eyes and carrot manes for a fun kid's lunch. | hazelfork.com

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

Preparing these sandwiches has always been a delightful way to make lunchtime exciting for my children.

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.
Savory Horse Head Sandwich shapes, filled with cheese and turkey, perfectly arranged with decorative carrot. Save
Savory Horse Head Sandwich shapes, filled with cheese and turkey, perfectly arranged with decorative carrot. | hazelfork.com

Letting kids help assemble and decorate their own horse heads creates memorable family moments.

Notes

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.

Freshly made Horse Head Sandwiches, a fun, kid-friendly meal with visually appealing toppings and textures. Save
Freshly made Horse Head Sandwiches, a fun, kid-friendly meal with visually appealing toppings and textures. | hazelfork.com

This treat is sure to brighten any lunchbox with its fun shape and tasty layers.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of bread is best for the sandwich cutouts?

Soft whole wheat or white sandwich bread works best for easy cutting and a tender bite.

Can I make these sandwiches vegetarian?

Yes, substitute deli meat with cucumber slices and use plant-based cheese if preferred.

How do I decorate the horse heads?

Use small black olives for eyes and nostrils, and arrange julienned carrots to resemble a mane.

Is mayonnaise necessary for assembling?

Mayonnaise or butter is optional and can be spread lightly to add flavor and help layers stick.

What tools are needed for making the cutouts?

A horse head-shaped cookie cutter is essential, plus a small knife and a spreader for assembling.

Horse Head Sandwich Cutouts

Fun sandwich shapes with cheese, deli meat or cucumber, plus decorative olives and carrot mane.

Prep Time
15 minutes
0
Time Required
15 minutes
Created by Lydia Carver

Recipe Group Quick Family Favorites

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 4 Portions

Diet Preferences Meat-Free

Needed Ingredients

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)

Preparation Steps

Step 01

Prepare bread slices: Lay out the bread slices and lightly spread with mayonnaise or butter, if desired.

Step 02

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

Step 03

Assemble filling: For each sandwich, layer one bread 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 04

Form sandwiches: Place the top bread cutout over the filling to assemble the sandwich.

Step 05

Decorate with olives: Adorn each horse head with small pieces of black olive for eyes and nostrils, using a dab of cream cheese to adhere if needed.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Pack sandwiches: Carefully place the sandwiches into lunchboxes to maintain their shape.

Essential Tools

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

Allergy Details

Review ingredients for allergens and speak to your doctor with any concerns.
  • Contains wheat/gluten, dairy, and possibly soy (depending on cheese or bread). May contain egg if mayonnaise is used and meat if deli turkey or ham is included. Check ingredient labels for allergen safety.

Nutritional Info (each portion)

Nutrition details are for reference and aren't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 210
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Proteins: 10 g