Tiny, multi-layer and multi-colored pressed sandwiches; crackers and spreads; dips and party rye sandwiches are appropriate savory snacks for Holiday tea.

A Holdiay Tea Party is a relaxing and inexpensive way to entertain during the holidays. Tea party food is a combination of snack foods that are primarily sweets, such as cookies, small pastries and tiny cakes.

However, it is expected that an afternoon tea include at least one “savory” item, which is best described as some sort of meat, cheese or egg snack. These are examples of savory recipes appropriate for afternoon tea parties.

Tea Party Sandwiches

Tea party sandwiches are no different than other sandwiches, except they are small, usually ¼ the size of a full slice of bread.

• Party rye breads and fancy crackers are easy and appropriate. However, if you want learn to make snacks unique to tea parties, try learning to stack and press sandwiches as described in The Good Housekeeping Cookbook. 
• It is important to choose a filling, such as a spread, that will be easy to press and will not fall out of the tiny sandwiches. Examples of fillings are bagel spreads, deviled ham or crab spreads, or finely chopped chicken or tuna salad.

Ribbon Sandwiches

1. Spread five pieces of bread with filling, alternating light and dark bread.
2. Stack bread up and press firmly but gently.
3. Cut crusts off with sharp knife and sawing motion.
4. Cut each stack into squares or diamond shapes.
5. Make as many stacks as needed.

Checkerboards

Follow instructions above, but make one half of the sandwiches with the dark bread on top and the other half with the light bread on top. Arrange on the serving table in checkerboard fashion.

Pinwheels

1. Cut crusts off bread.
2. Cut bread into long thin slices.
3. Roll with rolling pin to press bread.
4. Spread filling on strips of bread.
5. Roll bread slices into pinwheels.
6. These are especially attractive if dark bread is used with white or strawberry cream cheese.

Easy one Layer Sandwiches:

The Betty Crocker Cookbook provides three easy recipes for single layer party sandwiches that are perfect for tea parties. The recipes do not provide amounts of ingredients, so you will need to purchase approximately what you will need for the number of snacks to plan to serve.

Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• Cream cheese, whipped
• Chopped walnuts or walnut halves
• Party rye or pumpernickel bread

Recipe for Cream Cheese Sandwiches

1. Spread cream cheese on bread.
2. Sprinkle chopped walnuts or garnish each sandwich with large walnut half.

Cucumber Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• Softened butter
• Whipped cream cheese
• Large cucumber(s)
• Regular or party rye bread

Recipe for Cucumber Sandwiches

1. Use party rye or cut dark sandwich bread slices into 3 circles with cookie cutter
2. Spread each with 1 t cream cheese
3. Place a thin cucumber slice on top
4. Top with another slice or circle of bread

Deviled Ham Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• Sandwich bread
• Butter or margarine, softened
• Deviled ham spread
• Pimento stuffed olives
• Mayonnaise or salad dressing

Recipe for Deviled Ham Sandwiches

1. Spread margarine or butter on bread
2. Mix deviled ham with small amount of mayonnaise or salad dressing
3. Spread over margarine or butter.
4. Cut crusts off of sandwich bread and cut bread diagonally twice into four triangular snacks.
5. Garnish with pimento stuffed olives.

Other Easy Savory Snacks

• Toasted English Muffins, cut into quarters, make great crusts for open face snacks, such as melted cheese or mini pizzas.
• Specialty crackers, such as flavored Melba toast, mini-bagels and table water crackers can also substitute for bread.

“Self-spreads” are also acceptable, as in this easy recipe from The Good Housekeeping Cookbook:

Mexican Deviled-Ham Snacks

1. Cut one large avocado in half.
2. Remove pit.
3. Fill halves with one 4 ½ can deviled ham.
4. Guests spread ham and avocado on Melba toast.

Makes 20 Snacks.