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Ham and cheese sandwich cake garnished with fresh vegetables
Swedish layered sandwich cake with fresh vegetables, ham, and cheese

Easy Ham and Cheese Sandwich Cake

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Appetizers
This is the 'entry-level' Smörgåstårta, elevating the universally loved ham and cheese combination to holiday heights. The genius of Swedish cuisine lies in transforming everyday ingredients (bread, cold cuts, cheese) into an elegant, cake-like dish. Different textures hidden between the layers – soft bread, creamy filling, crunchy cucumber – make every bite exciting.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
⌛ Total Time 2 hrs 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 6 servings
🔥 Calories 490 kcal kcal
🌍 Cuisine Swedish

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Grater (for cheese)
  • Serving tray

Allergen Information

⚠️ Wheat
⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Mustard

Instructions

1 ✓

Prepare the base cream: whisk the cream cheese with sour cream, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until fluffy. Divide into three parts (one for ham, one for cheese, one for frosting).

Tip: A homogeneous base cream ensures the cake has a unified flavor profile.
2 ✓

Dice the ham very finely and mix into one portion of the cream. Grate the cheese finely and mix into the second portion.

Tip: Finely chopped ingredients spread better and look nicer when sliced.
3 ✓

Place 4 slices of bread on the tray. Spread with the ham cream.

Tip: Ensure bread slices touch tightly; this is the cake's foundation.
4 ✓

Cover with the next layer of bread. Spread with the cheese cream.

Tip: Gently press down the layers to remove air pockets and help the cream 'glue' them.
5 ✓

Top with the final layer of bread. Frost the entire cake with the third (plain) portion of cream.

Tip: Use a wide knife or offset spatula for smoothing.
6 ✓

Garnish with sliced cucumber, tomato, and lettuce. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Tip: It's worth removing the seeds from the tomato before garnishing to prevent liquid from leaking.

Recipe FAQ

What cheese should I choose?
Any semi-hard cheese works well (Gouda, Edam, Swiss). The key is that it should be grateable and not too overpowering.
Can I freeze it?
Not recommended. The structure of mayonnaise-based creams and vegetables is ruined by freezing (water separates out).

Ingredients

  • 12 slices White Sandwich Bread (crusts removed)
  • 9 oz Cream Cheese
  • 2/3 cup Sour Cream
  • 7 oz Quality Deli Ham
  • 1 1/2 cups Gouda or Swiss Cheese (block)
  • 1 whole English Cucumber
  • 2 whole Tomatoes (firm)
  • 4 leaves Lettuce
  • 1 tbsp Mustard
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 pinch White Pepper