Save to Pinterest Adorable bee-shaped sandwich bites arranged on a vibrant board, perfect for a playful picnic or childrens party. Fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables surround the sandwiches for a delightful, nutritious spread.
This is a favorite at our family picnics where the kids love the bee shapes and the variety of fresh fruits and veggies makes it a healthy choice.
Ingredients
- Sandwiches: 12 slices soft sandwich bread (white or whole wheat)
- Sandwiches: 6 tablespoons cream cheese or hummus
- Sandwiches: 2 tablespoons honey (optional, for sweet version)
- Sandwiches: 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
- Sandwiches: 1 small carrot, thinly sliced
- Sandwiches: 12 black olives, pitted (for bee stripes and eyes)
- Sandwiches: 12 chive stems (for antennae)
- Board Assembly: 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- Board Assembly: 1 cup baby carrots
- Board Assembly: 1 cup grapes (green and red)
- Board Assembly: 1 cup strawberries, halved
- Board Assembly: 1 cup mini pretzels
- Board Assembly: 1/2 cup cubed cheese (optional)
- Board Assembly: Fresh herbs for garnish (mint, basil)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Using a bee-shaped or oval cookie cutter, cut bee shapes from the sandwich bread slices.
- Step 2:
- Spread cream cheese or hummus evenly on half of the bread cutouts. Drizzle with honey if making a sweet version.
- Step 3:
- Layer thin slices of cucumber and carrot on top, then cover each with a second bread cutout to form sandwiches.
- Step 4:
- Slice black olives into thin rings for bee stripes and small pieces for eyes. Arrange on top of sandwiches gently pressing into the spread.
- Step 5:
- Insert two short pieces of chive as antennae into each sandwich.
- Step 6:
- Arrange bee sandwiches on a large serving board.
- Step 7:
- Surround with cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, grapes, strawberries, mini pretzels, cheese cubes, and fresh herbs.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready for your picnic.
Save to Pinterest This recipe always brings smiles and buzzes at family gatherings and kids parties.
Notes
Try swapping in your favorite spreads or veggies for variety and pair with lemonade fruit punch or a crisp white wine for adults.
Required Tools
Bee-shaped or oval cookie cutter Small knife Spreader or butter knife Large serving board or platter
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (bread) Dairy (cream cheese) Possible Nuts (check bread and spread labels) For allergies use gluten-free bread and dairy-free spreads as needed Always check ingredient labels.
Save to Pinterest This cute bee sandwiches recipe is perfect for a nutritious and fun snack any time of day.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What bread types work best for the bee sandwiches?
Soft white or whole wheat bread slices are ideal for shaping and layering, while whole grain can add extra fiber.
- → How are the bee stripes and eyes created on the sandwiches?
Thinly sliced black olives are used to form stripes and eyes, adding detail and contrast to the sandwich shapes.
- → Can I make a vegan version of this dish?
Yes, substitute cream cheese with plant-based spreads and omit honey to suit a vegan diet.
- → What is the purpose of chive stems in the sandwiches?
Chive stems are inserted as antennae to add a playful, bee-like touch to each sandwich bite.
- → How should the board be assembled for serving?
Arrange bee-shaped sandwiches on a large board surrounded by colorful fresh fruits, vegetables, mini pretzels, cheese cubes, and herbs for an inviting presentation.
- → How soon should these sandwiches be served?
Serve immediately for best freshness, or cover and refrigerate briefly to prepare ahead of time.