# What You'll Need:
→ Bread
01 - 12 slices white sandwich bread
02 - 12 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
→ Fillings
03 - 120 grams cream cheese, softened
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons red bell pepper, finely diced
06 - 2 tablespoons cucumber, finely diced
→ Garnishes
07 - 12 small cherry tomatoes or star-shaped pieces of yellow bell pepper
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
→ Optional
09 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
10 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Method:
01 - In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, chopped chives, and mayonnaise if using. Season with salt and pepper lightly.
02 - Using star-shaped cookie cutters in three sizes—large, medium, and small—cut stars from white and whole wheat bread slices.
03 - Apply a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture onto each cut star piece of bread.
04 - Sprinkle diced red bell pepper over one-third of the stars and diced cucumber over another third for color and texture contrast.
05 - Stack stars from largest to smallest, alternating bread types for a visually appealing contrast.
06 - Insert a skewer or toothpick through the center of each stacked star sandwich to hold layers in place.
07 - Place a cherry tomato or a star-shaped piece of yellow bell pepper atop each sandwich stack to resemble a Christmas tree topper.
08 - Sprinkle finely chopped parsley over the sandwiches to simulate pine needles.
09 - Arrange sandwiches on a platter and serve immediately to preserve freshness.
