Best of 2014 - Creative Sandwich Ideas

2014 was definitely the 'year of the sandwich' for me! Although many of my bento lunches don't involve sandwiches at all, as I love the fact that you can pack endless alternatives to sandwiches in a bento box (just see my list of 60 healthy lunchbox food ideas for the proof - not a sandwich in sight!), sandwiches remain a big favourite of Small Child's and they are always an easy option for a packed lunch.  Not one to take the easy route however, a look back at my year in bento revealed that I found lots of fun new ways to present sandwiches creatively in 2014, so I decided to share some of my favourites in this round-up post.

14. Minion Sandwiches - These were made early in the year for Small Child and a minion-mad friend - they were simple to make but a big hit with the children! See the original blog post here for full details of how to make them. And if you have a minion fan in the house yourself, you might also like my minion lunch and minion cupcakes.

13. Pirate Sandwich - I based this simple pirate sandwich design on one of our pirate cupcake rings - it's easy to recreate with a large circle cutter and edible marker pens.  For full details and a peak at some of the other pirate themed lunches I made to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day this year see my original blog post here.

12. Holly Sandwich - a healthy version of the 'fairy sandwich', this was one of a series of Christmas themed sandwiches that I made last month, and I was really pleased with how it came out! You can find my instructions for making it and several other fun Christmas sandwich ideas here.

11. Doodle Topped Sandwich - I was really pleased with the new way I thought up to decorate a simple sandwich this year – simply top with a piece of tortilla wrap cut to the same size and shape as the sandwich below and doodle with edible marker pens! This rather wonky sketch of the Houses of Parliament was made for bonfire night, in celebration of the thwarting of the gunpowder plot.  You can see full details in the original blog post here.

10. Wizard's Hat - I loved how this one came out! I originally made it in the run up to Halloween but it came in useful for my Harry Potter lunch too! You can find full instructions for making it here.

9. CuteZCute Koala - I couldn't write a post about creative sandwiches without mentioning the amazing CuteZCute range of cutters! This sandwich was made using the gorgeous CuteZCute Cuddle Palz Kit which was new in 2014, and it couldn't be easier to make!

8. Eyeball Sandwich Balls - this fun idea came to me when I was brainstorming ideas for Halloween.  You can find full instructions for making them here. You can also find lots more fun edible eye ideas here.

7. Edible Advent Calendar - Whilst this isn't the prettiest sandwich I've ever made, I was really pleased with the idea! I made this for Small Child's lunch on the first of December, and I have a feeling this one may become an annual tradition! You can find full details of this sandwich and the lunch I packed it in here.

6. Owl Sandwich - This cute sandwich is deceptively easy to make with the help of some nesting circle cutters, you can find full instructions to make it here.

5. Snowflakes - These pretty sandwiches would be perfect for a winter feast, or maybe just for lunch on a snow day! You can find full instructions for making them here.

4. Monster - Another sandwich made with the aid of my trusty circle cutters, my boys loved this cute monster sandwich! You can find instructions for making him here.

3. Rocket Sandwich - I was commissioned to make this special lunch by Branston Pickle, and I was really pleased with how it turned out.  I cut the rocket sandwich out freehand, and Small Child loved it, along with the Branston pickle which he tasted for the first time! See more details in the original blog post here.

2. Penguin - One of my festive sandwiches, I was so pleased with how this penguin sandwich turned out and it was so simple to make! You can find full instructions and some more fun and easy penguin themed foods in this blog post.

1. 3D Rocket Sandwiches - I found it hard to pick my favourite sandwich, but in the end the rocket sandwiches that I made for bonfire night won! These were really easy to make (with the help of some star skewers and a clever little tool, my cupcake plunger!), you can find full instructions for making them here.

I've really enjoyed looking back over my year, and can't help feeling a little proud of my creative efforts in 2014! Here's to many more in 2015!

Grace

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