# Ingredient List:
→ Bread
01 - 12 slices white sandwich bread
02 - 12 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
→ Fillings
03 - 4.2 oz cream cheese, softened
04 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 2 tbsp red bell pepper, finely diced
06 - 2 tbsp cucumber, finely diced
→ Garnishes
07 - 12 small cherry tomatoes or star-shaped pieces of yellow bell pepper
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
→ Optional
09 - 1 tbsp mayonnaise
10 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 - In a small bowl, blend cream cheese with fresh chives and mayonnaise if using. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
02 - Using star-shaped cookie cutters in three sizes, cut large, medium, and small stars from both white and whole wheat bread slices.
03 - Apply a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture evenly on each star-shaped bread piece.
04 - Sprinkle diced red bell pepper over one-third of the stars and diced cucumber on another third to introduce variety.
05 - Stack the stars from largest to smallest, alternating between white and whole wheat bread to enhance contrast.
06 - Insert a decorative skewer or toothpick through the center to hold the sandwich layers firmly together.
07 - Place a cherry tomato or star-shaped yellow bell pepper piece atop each stack to resemble a Christmas tree topper.
08 - Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley around the sandwich stacks to simulate pine needles.
09 - Arrange the mini sandwiches on a serving platter and present immediately for best freshness.
