Holiday Sandwiches

Name: Holiday Sandwiches
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: Manitoba flour 6 cups; Water 1.7 cups; Extra virgin olive oil 5 tbsp; Fine salt 3.7 tsp; Fresh brewer's yeast 0.9 oz; Malt 1 tsp; Pancetta diced 3.5 oz; Walnut kernels ½ cup; Green olives pitted 2.125 oz; Rosemary 3 sprigs; Poppy seeds 4 tsp; Sesame seeds 1 ½ tbsp; Whole milk warm to taste

it de fr es br

525

Calories per serving

Energy Kcal 525
Carbohydrates g 66.1
of which sugars g 2.2
Protein g 17.2
Fats g 21.3
of which saturated fat g 5.53
Fiber g 3.3
Cholesterol mg 8
Sodium mg 1296

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Serving: 8
Cost: Average
Note + 2 hours and 30 minutes of rising

PRESENTATION

Sparkle on any holiday table comes easy with holiday sandwiches that offer a soft bite, cheery look, and classic taste everyone remembers. Wrapped in a golden top, these Christmas sandwiches add instant color and a homey feel to family celebrations, from Christmas Eve buffets to cozy game nights at home. Holiday spreads just seem more welcoming when a tray of good ham and cheese sliders sits within easy reach—something about that fluffy inside and savory, melted cheese draws people back for seconds (and sometimes thirds). Each bite is loaded with rich layers and a sweet-savory balance that's just, well, DELICIOUS, with those perfectly portioned baked sliders helping all ages feel included while snacking. They bring classic flavor, pretty presentation, and nice variety—great for any family that likes reliable crowd-pleasers, but definitely fun for folks who want something cheerful and super tasty on the menu. Lots of home cooks stick with these holiday appetizers year after year because kids, teens, grandparents—everyone digs in happily (never any tricky leftovers). The compact shape comes in handy at bigger parties or simple after-school gatherings...you’ll always have a friend or hungry kiddo asking for another.

Plenty of busy home cooks call these holiday sandwiches their go-to for a reason—they work for both fast holiday meal prep and more relaxed parties where people just want something satisfying and festive sandwich recipes are high on the wishlist. No need to fuss about fancy entertaining, either; set out a tray and watch folks smile. Families love versatility, and these make easy sandwich ideas reality since they pair well with salads, veggie trays, or maybe just some fresh fruit on the side (bet you’ll hear “can I have one more?” at least once). Holiday sandwiches aren’t just about looks—they're packed with big, friendly flavors that suit all ages, whether served as party sandwiches, brunch favorites, or hearty lunches around the Christmas tree. Reliable, great-tasting, and always pretty, these simple holiday sandwiches fit right in wherever you need practical, festive, shared food with very little stress. Grab a serving plate...these are usually the quickest thing to disappear—families just keep coming back because they’re absolutely easy and fun for every celebration.

INGREDIENTS

525

Calories per serving

Ingredients for about 25-30 buns: Manitoba flour 6 cups (750 g); Water 1.7 cups (400 ml); Extra virgin olive oil 5 tbsp (70 g); Fine salt 3.7 tsp (22 g); Fresh brewer's yeast 0.9 oz (25 g); Malt 1 tsp

for the filling: Pancetta 3.5 oz (100 g) - diced; Walnut kernels ½ cup (60 g); Green olives 2.125 oz (60 g) - pitted; Rosemary 3 sprigs; Poppy seeds 4 tsp (20 g); Sesame seeds 1 ½ tbsp (20 g)

for brushing: Whole milk to taste - warm

Preparation

How to prepare Holiday Sandwiches

To prepare the holiday sandwiches, start by dissolving the teaspoon of malt (or alternatively one of sugar) in a bowl where you have poured some lukewarm water taken from your available 1 3/4 cups (400 ml) 1. Add the crumbled yeast and mix to dissolve it 2. In the remaining water dissolve the salt and add the extra virgin olive oil 3.

Put the flour in the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a hook, turn on the machine and first add the yeast mixture 4 and then, little by little, the water, salt, and oil mixture. Knead until you get a smooth and elastic dough, then take it out of the bowl and, on a work surface, knead it for a few seconds to shape it into a sphere 5. Place the dough in a large bowl greased with a little olive oil 6, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about two hours, until it doubles in volume.

Meanwhile, chop the walnuts and rosemary needles and cut the olives into slices 7. When the dough is ready 8, pour it onto a work surface and divide it into six equal parts (approximately 7-7.5 oz each) 9.

Knead each part with a different ingredient (10-11), then divide each loaf into pieces weighing about 1.5 oz each. Knead each piece and shape it into a sphere 12, then place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
You should then have many small buns with bacon, olives, walnuts, rosemary, etc. Always set aside small quantities of ingredients to garnish the surface of the buns before baking. When you have formed all the buns, brush them with milk (or cream), put a little of the ingredient contained in the bun dough on top, and then let rise for about 30 minutes in the oven off but with the light on. When the buns have doubled in volume, they will be ready to be baked in a preheated oven at 390°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes.

Storage

Store the holiday sandwiches at room temperature, sealed in a plastic bag, for a maximum of 2-3 days.

Advice

Customize! You can flavor these buns according to your taste: I have indicated the versions I prefer and the most classic ones, but nothing prevents you from using other cold cuts - ham, raw or cooked, speck or salami - anchovies, onions, olives, walnuts, or simply decorating them with sesame and poppy seeds!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.