Horse Head Sandwich Cutouts

Featured in: Cozy Everyday Dinners

This playful lunch idea features bread cut into horse head shapes with layers of cheese, deli meat or cucumber, and cream cheese. Small black olives form expressive eyes and nostrils, while julienned carrot strips create a mane effect. Simple and quick to prepare, these whimsically decorated sandwiches make lunchtime exciting and are perfect for kids or themed parties. Vegan and vegetarian variations can be easily made using plant-based ingredients. Pack them carefully to keep their form and enjoy a delightful, balanced treat paired with fresh fruit and veggies.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:37:00 GMT
Adorable horse head sandwich cutouts, perfect for a fun lunch, filled with cheese and turkey. Pin
Adorable horse head sandwich cutouts, perfect for a fun lunch, filled with cheese and turkey. | orchardcrust.com

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

This recipe always brings smiles to my kids' faces during lunchtime and makes packing meals more enjoyable.

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.
Colorful horse head sandwich cutouts, topped with olives and carrot, ready for a kid's lunch. Pin
Colorful horse head sandwich cutouts, topped with olives and carrot, ready for a kid's lunch. | orchardcrust.com

Letting kids help assemble and decorate their own horse heads creates fun family moments at lunchtime.

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

Nutritional Information

Calories 210 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 26 g Protein 10 g per serving

A close-up of playful horse head sandwich cutouts, a delicious and creative lunchtime treat. Pin
A close-up of playful horse head sandwich cutouts, a delicious and creative lunchtime treat. | orchardcrust.com

These horse head sandwich cutouts add a playful touch to any lunchbox and are simple to prepare.

Recipe Q&A

What types of bread work best for these cutouts?

Soft whole wheat or white sandwich bread is ideal for easy cutting and holding shape.

Can this be made vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, substitute deli meat with cucumber slices and use plant-based cheese for a vegan option.

How do I decorate the horse head sandwiches?

Use small black olives for eyes and nostrils, and julienned carrot strips to resemble the mane.

What tools are needed to prepare these sandwiches?

A horse head-shaped cookie cutter, small paring knife, and spreader or butter knife work best.

How should I store the sandwiches before serving?

Pack them gently in lunchboxes to maintain shape, and refrigerate if not serving immediately.

Are there any allergen concerns to be aware of?

This includes wheat/gluten and dairy; check labels for soy, egg, or meat depending on chosen ingredients.

Horse Head Sandwich Cutouts

Fun horse head-shaped sandwiches decorated with olives and carrot mane for creative lunch ideas.

Prep time
15 min
0
Overall time
15 min
Created by Ruby Hensley


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary Info Vegetarian

What You 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)

Steps

Step 01

Prepare Bread: Lay out the bread slices and lightly spread each 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, place one bread cutout, layer with a slice of cheddar 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

Combine Sandwich: Place the top bread cutout over the filling to complete the sandwich.

Step 05

Decorate Faces: Adhere small pieces of black olive on each sandwich for the eyes and nostrils, using a dab of cream cheese to help them stick if needed.

Step 06

Apply Mane: Arrange julienned carrot strips along the neck or top of the head to replicate a mane.

Step 07

Pack and Serve: Carefully place the sandwiches into lunchboxes to maintain their shape until served.

Needed Tools

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

Allergen Warnings

Read ingredient labels to spot allergens. If unsure, consult your doctor or a specialist.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, and possibly soy depending on bread and cheese choices.
  • May contain egg if mayonnaise is used and meat if deli turkey or ham is included.

Nutrition Details (for each serving)

These figures are intended for reference—not as a substitute for medical guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 210
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Proteins: 10 g