📝 About This Recipe
Transform a simple lunch into a celestial celebration with these whimsical Star-Shaped Sandwiches. Featuring a duo of kid-friendly fillings—creamy honey-nut butter and a vibrant berry jam—these treats are designed to delight both the eyes and the palate. Perfect for birthday parties, school lunchboxes, or a magical afternoon tea, they turn wholesome ingredients into an edible adventure that encourages even the pickiest eaters to reach for the stars.
🥗 Ingredients
The Foundation
- 4 slices Whole Wheat Bread (soft and fresh)
- 4 slices White Pull-man Bread (thick-cut)
Creamy Nut Butter Filling
- 1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter or Sunflower Butter (at room temperature for easy spreading)
- 1 tablespoon Wildflower Honey (local if possible)
- 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon (ground)
- 1 pinch Sea Salt
Sweet Fruit Filling
- 1/3 cup Strawberry or Raspberry Jam (seedless preferred)
- 4-5 pieces Fresh Strawberries (very thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons Cream Cheese (softened)
Garnish and Sides
- 1/2 cup Blueberries (to represent the 'night sky')
- 1 piece Banana (sliced into rounds)
- 1 teaspoon Edible Gold Sprinkles (optional for sparkle)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Lay out all slices of bread on a clean, dry cutting board. Ensure the bread is fresh and soft, as dry bread may crumble when being cut into shapes.
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2
In a small mixing bowl, combine the nut butter (or sunflower butter), honey, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture is glossy and well-combined.
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3
In a separate small bowl, gently whip the softened cream cheese until smooth. This will act as a moisture barrier for the jam side.
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4
Spread a thin, even layer of the nut butter mixture onto two slices of the whole wheat bread and two slices of the white bread, reaching almost to the edges.
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5
On the remaining four slices of bread, spread a thin layer of the whipped cream cheese, followed by a generous layer of the fruit jam.
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6
Place the thinly sliced strawberries over the jam layer on two of the slices to add a fresh, textural element.
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7
Close the sandwiches by pairing a nut butter slice with a jam/fruit slice, pressing down very gently to seal them together.
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8
Take a large star-shaped cookie cutter (approximately 3-4 inches wide) and position it firmly in the center of the sandwich.
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9
Press down hard on the cutter, rocking it slightly from side to side to ensure it cuts through both layers of bread and the crusts.
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10
Carefully lift away the outer crusts (save these for breadcrumbs later!) and push the star sandwich gently out of the cutter.
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11
For a 'shooting star' effect, use a smaller star cutter on the remaining scraps of bread or use a knife to cut small triangles to place behind the main star.
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12
Arrange the star sandwiches on a bright plate. Scatter the blueberries and banana rounds around the sandwiches to create a 'galaxy' appearance.
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13
Optional: Lightly dust the tops of the sandwiches with a tiny pinch of edible gold sprinkles for a magical finishing touch.
💡 Chef's Tips
Use a metal cookie cutter rather than plastic for the cleanest, sharpest edges. To prevent the bread from tearing, chill the sandwiches in the fridge for 10 minutes before cutting. Don't discard the crusts; toast them in the oven with cinnamon sugar for 'Star Dust' croutons. If using sunflower butter, add a drop of vanilla extract to mimic the depth of peanut butter. Ensure the fruit slices are paper-thin so the cookie cutter can glide through without snagging.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair with a tall glass of cold milk or a 'Moonlight' vanilla steamer. Serve alongside a small bowl of Greek yogurt topped with 'stardust' (granola). Add a side of 'Cloud' cheese cubes (mozzarella or white cheddar) for extra protein. Accompany with a fruit kebab featuring melon stars and grape 'planets'.