Holiday Ham & Cheese Party Sandwiches Recipe



Seems like this time of year I always find myself looking for something yummy (and easy) to bring to a party.  I secretly love bringing the most delicious treat to the party – but really don’t we all love getting that label?  So a few years ago, I stumbled upon just the thing that accomplishes my goal of yummy & easy:: “Party Sandwiches”.



Close-up of slider buns topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with chopped herbs, with slices of ham visible inside, in a baking dish.


Party sandwiches can be made in so many different ways! 

  • roast beef, cheddar & horseradish sauce
  • BBQ chicken & Colby jack
  • turkey, swiss & caramelized onions
  • Philly cheese steak sandwiches
  • Even meatball sub & mozzarella cheese ((although this is quite messy for a party))

But for this recipe, I used ham & sharp white cheddar cheese with a special homemade cranberry mustard blend and a pickle for some flavorful flair.



A platter with slices of ham, cheese, and pickles, accompanied by a bowl of cranberry sauce and mustard, and a blue napkin.


Here’s what you need to start ::

  • deli ham
  • sharp white cheddar cheese, sliced
  • mild country style Dijon mustard
  • jellied cranberry sauce
  • dill pickle slices
  • 1 package of sweet Hawaiian dinner rolls
  • salted butter
  • fresh thyme 
  • fresh chives, finely chopped

Start off by spraying a 9″ x 13″ dish with nonstick spray ((I like Baker’s Joy – the flour in the spray seems to make the bottom of the bread extra crispy. Next, mix the jellied cranberry sauce and the mustard together and combine the herbs & softened butter.



A close-up of a bowl containing cranberry sauce topped with a dollop of grainy mustard.
A glass bowl with a pat of butter topped with chopped herbs, set on a wooden surface with sprigs of fresh thyme.
A glass bowl with a pat of butter topped with chopped herbs on a wooden surface, next to a baking dish filled with slider buns. Sprigs of fresh thyme and a blue napkin.


Then, begin the sandwich assembly by slicing the attached dinner rolls in half horizontally. Spread a thin layer of the cranberry mustard on the cut side of the bottom layer of bread. Save the remaining cranberry mustard to use as a condiment for guests if they want their sandwich a little more saucy.

If desired, place a pickle on each roll and then top with ham and cheese.



A platter with slices of ham, cheese, and pickles and a partially cut loaf of bread, with a bowl of cranberry sauce and mustard in the background.
An open-faced sandwich in a baking dish topped with pickles, cranberry sauce, and ham slices next to a platter with additional slices of ham and cheese.
An open-faced sandwich in a baking dish topped with ham and slices of cheese, next to an empty patterned platter.


Place the top side of the buns over the cheese and spread herbed butter liberally over the top.



A baking dish filled with slider buns, topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with chopped herbs.


Cover the dish tightly with foil and place into a preheated 350° oven. Covering tightly with foil is an important part of this process because the steam softens the bread in the most irresistible way. After 20-30 minutes, remove the foil and allow the top of the rolls to crisp. You may want to flip your oven setting over to low broil for just a minute. But that’s only if you can keep a close eye on the sandwiches to make sure they don’t burn.



Close-up of slider buns with a golden-brown crust, sprinkled with chopped herbs, in a baking dish.


The cheese is melty, the ham is hot and juicy, and that cranberry mustard added the perfect hint of sweet and sour. The pickle does exactly what pickles do best – make everything just a bit better.



Close-up of slider buns topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with chopped herbs, with slices of ham visible inside, in a baking dish.


Close-up of a bitten slider bun filled with ham, cheese, and pickles on a plate.


Holiday Ham & Cheese Party Sandwiches

Serves 6

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

25 min

Ingredients

  1. ¾ lb deli ham
  2. 6 slices sharp white cheddar cheese, cut in half
  3. 2 T mild country style Dijon mustard
  4. 3 T jellied cranberry sauce
  5. 12 dill pickle slices
  6. 1 – 12 ct package of sweet Hawaiian dinner rolls
  7. 3 T salted butter
  8. ½ t fresh thyme
  9. 1 T fresh chives, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray ((I prefer Baker’s Joy)). Leave the rolls attached and slice them in half horizontally. Next, mix the jellied cranberry sauce and the mustard together and combine the herbs & softened butter.
  2. Spread a thin layer of the cranberry mustard on the cut side of the bottom layer of bread. Save the remaining cranberry mustard to use as a condiment for guests if they want their sandwich a little more saucy.
  3. If desired, place a pickle on each roll and then top with ham and cheese. Place the top side of the buns over the cheese and spread herbed butter liberally over the top.
  4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and place into the preheated 350° oven. After 20-30 minutes, remove the foil and allow the top the rolls to crisp. You may want to flip your oven setting over to low broil for just a minute. But be sure to keep a close eye on the sandwiches in order to prevent burning.
  5. Once the tops of the buns are golden and crisp, remove from the oven and serve.
  6. Serve 6

By Emily Schuermann



A collage of ham and cheese slider buns with the text "Holiday Ham & Cheese Party Sandwiches" and "www.sinkology.com." The images show golden-brown slider buns, melted cheese, and a bitten bun revealing the filling.


A platter with slices of ham, cheese, and pickles, accompanied by a bowl of cranberry sauce and mustard, and a blue napkin.
An open-faced sandwich in a baking dish topped with ham and slices of cheese, next to an empty patterned platter.
A glass bowl with a pat of butter topped with chopped herbs, set on a wooden surface with sprigs of fresh thyme.
A baking dish filled with slider buns, topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with chopped herbs.
Close-up of slider buns topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with chopped herbs in a baking dish.
Close-up of a bitten slider bun filled with ham, cheese, and pickles on a plate.


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