Retro Recipes: Ribbon Sandwiches
Ribbon sandwiches are delicate tea sandwiches that are layered with different fillings and usually two different types of bread. These sandwiches are perfect for tea, afternoon luncheons, and other occasions where light fare is required.
Growing up, the fanciest of fancy foods my mom would prepare was ribbon sandwiches.
These special occasion sandwiches would make an appearance at graduation parties and bridal showers. Next to the cream cheese mints and sherbet punch, of course.
I recently made pretty layered ribbon sandwiches for the first time in years. I was quickly reminded of how special they are.
This is one recipe I definitely think should make a comeback!
What Are Ribbon Sandwiches?
Ribbon sandwiches are multiple layered sandwiches that are cut into thin individual slices.
Typically, there are two or three different fillings in each sandwich, such as:
- Egg salad
- Ham salad
- Tuna salad
- Chicken salad
- Pimento cheese
- Cheez Whiz
- (See more suggestions below)
You can get creative with your sandwich fillings – no need to stick to my list or be fancy. Old fashioned sandwich fillings work well.
Ribbon sandwiches vs. sandwich loaf: Ribbon sandwiches are similar to sandwich loaves, which were popular in the mid-20th century.
Full disclosure: They may be the same thing. But upon doing some research, it seems as though sandwich loaves are typically frosted with a whipped cream cheese.
What Kind Of Bread Do I Need?
To make ribbon sandwiches, you’ll need to special order horizontally-cut loaves of bread from the bakery.
The shape of the loaves should be rectangular. A pullman loaf or sandwich loaf of bread will work best. See photo, directly above.
Get More Retro Recipes
I love trying recipes from decades past, whether they’re from the 1950s, 1980s, or somewhere in between:
- Chipped beef on toast
- Chocolate oatsies
- Mock angel food cake
- Homemade BBQ potato chips
- Sloppy joes
- Patty melts
- “1905” salad
- FDR’s birthday cake recipe
Like what you see? Follow along on Instagram for more old-school recipes, new recipes, and tips for living life to its fullest – on a budget
Ribbon Sandwiches
Choose two or three fillings from the list below. I used ham salad, egg salad, and Cheez Whiz.
Ingredients
- 2 loaves of bread, sliced horizontally (a sturdy pullman loaf is ideal)
- Egg salad
- Ham salad
- Tuna salad
- Chicken salad
- Roast beef spread
- Pimento cheese
- Cheez Whiz
- Tofu egg salad
- Butter
Instructions
- For each sandwich you will need 4 horizontal slices of bread. Start by buttering all sides except for the ones facing outward.
- Lay one of the slices with an unbuttered side down on the countertop. Spread on about 1 cup of desired sandwich filling. Top with a slice of bread that is buttered on both sides. Spread on about 1 cup of another sandwich filling on top. Top with another slice of buttered bread, followed by another cup of filling. Finally, top with the remaining slice of bread without butter on the top.
- Using a serrated knife, cut off the outer crust of the bread. Proceed with cutting into sandwiches, about one inch thick.
- Lay sandwiches on a serving platter and serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and serve later (you don't want the sandwiches to dry out!)
Notes
I special order pullman bread loaves from the bakery to make ribbon sandwiches. You'll want to make sure they slice the bread the long way. Otherwise, you can request unsliced loaves and slice them yourself.
This is a retro recipe that I wasn’t familiar with before. Pinning to try at my next party!
These look so cute and I love how easy they are! I know my girls would love them!
love these little tea sandwiches perfect for any formal occasion I am thinking tea party for holidays for Grand-daughters
come see us at https://shopannies.blogspot.com
Plan to use these at an open house Christmas tea for Christmas at Castle Hill Haven. Thank you! http://www.castlehillhaven.com
Wonderful! Let me know how they turn out 🙂
When I make these, I frost the long sides and top with a whipped cream cheese. I put a bed of shredded lettuce on the platter around the sandwich loaf, and decorate the top of the loaf with shredded cheddar and olive slices. I slice through the loaf, but leave it standing to serve it. Always brings compliments!
I love your ideas! Thanks for sharing. I’ve only made this a couple of times myself, but next time I’ll try the whipped cream cheese idea.
The Mexican Cuban versions are called Sandwichon. You can whip that cream cheese with Mayo. Its a popular party food in the Rio Grande Valley. I’ve made it twice. Its a lot of work. I make filling one day and assemble it the next. I do a savory ham salad, a fruity chicken salad and pimento cheese in the middle. I like to work on a cake board.
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your versions.
Back In the day we had a local bakery that would dye the bread to match your wedding colors bridal showers ! They were at Midwest necessity at all bridal showers
A local place used to have a version of these on their catering menu. They used a deviled ham type filling and I think a similar one of chicken or turkey. They cut them into triangles, no crust, and super thinly spread mayo on one edge and dipped it in finely chopped chives. So good!
Nice! I like the idea of cutting them into triangles. Thanks for sharing.
“The fanciest of fancy foods” and the recipe suggests Cheez Whiz 🤦🏻 Americans
You know you love our food, Jo! Admit it.
How many sandwiches do you get from each slab of bread
It depends on how thick you cut the slices, but each loaf should yield between 10 and 14 individual sandwiches.