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Sandwich loaf facts for kids

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Sandwich loaf
SandwichLoaf4.jpg
Sandwich loaf before frosting
Type Sandwich
Course Entrée
Main ingredients White bread, filling

A sandwich loaf is a fun and fancy dish that looks like a cake but is actually made of sandwiches! It was super popular in the United States in the middle of the 1900s. People would serve it at parties as a main dish, also known as an entrée.

How to Make a Sandwich Loaf

To make a sandwich loaf, you start with a loaf of bread. The bread is cut horizontally into several layers. Then, each layer is spread with different tasty fillings.

Popular Fillings

Common fillings for a sandwich loaf include egg salad, chicken salad, ham salad, and tuna salad. Sometimes, people even used Cheez Whiz! You can also use other fillings like peanut butter and jelly. Some recipes even use mock egg salad made from tofu.

In a simple sandwich loaf, all the layers might have the same filling. But for a more exciting loaf, each layer can have a different flavor.

Choosing Your Bread

Most sandwich loaves are made with white bread. However, whole wheat bread is also used. Sometimes, people use both white and whole wheat bread in alternating layers. This creates a cool "ribbon effect" that looks really neat when the loaf is sliced.

Finishing Touches

After the layers are filled, the whole loaf is often "frosted" with a creamy cheese spread. This makes it look even more like a real cake! Common decorations, called garnishes, include olives, parsley, grapes, and carrot curls.

Once it's ready, the sandwich loaf is sliced just like a cake. You eat it with a fork, not with your hands like a regular sandwich!

A Bit of History

The idea of a sandwich loaf has been around for a long time. It was mentioned in newspapers as early as 1935. One article described it as a "delicate triple-layered affair generously frosted with creamy cheese." It quickly became a popular party food.

Sandwich Loaf Today

While not as common as it once was, the sandwich loaf is still enjoyed in some places. Near the border between the U.S. and Mexico, you might find a version called sandwhichon. This special kind of sandwich loaf is often decorated with pineapple, cherries, pickled jalapeños, and pecans. It often looks a lot like a traditional tres leches cake, which is a popular dessert.

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