Food and Recipes Appetizers Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches Are Your New Easiest Appetizer Be the first to rate & review! What will you get with Ritz cracker party sandwiches? Extra buttery, salty, garlicky crackers with nutty melty Swiss cheese, sweet and smoky ham contrasted by mildly hot pepper jelly—yes, there is a lot going on with a tiny sandwich, but somehow it works! Every time we tested these in the Southern Living Test Kitchen, people swarmed to them! You may feel like you're enjoying the classier version of a ham-and-cheese cracker lunch. The little cornichon makes it feel elevated. The savory butter mix enhances the sandwich without overpowering the other flavors. They come together quickly—which is good because you'll be making tray after tray of these bites. By Renu Dhar Renu Dhar Renu Dhar has over a decade of experience developing recipes, in more than 5 of which she has been fielding and answering the question, "What's for dinner?" and sharing her expertise and skills as a personal chef. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on May 21, 2024 Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more about the Southern Living Test Kitchen Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling Active Time: 25 mins Total Time: 25 mins Servings: 8 Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling Ingredients 48 round buttery crackers (such as Ritz) (from 1 [13.7-oz.] pkg.), divided 8 (1-oz.) Swiss cheese slices, cut into 1-in. squares, divided 8 (1-oz.) Black Forest deli ham slices, each cut into 3 equal strips (about 1 1/2-in. wide) 1/4 cup red pepper jelly (such as Braswell's) 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp. everything bagel seasoning 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 6 cornichons, halved lengthwise and crosswise, optional Directions Assemble crackers: Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange 24 of the crackers, top sides down, on a large parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet; top each cracker with 1 piece of cheese and 1 strip of ham, folding ham strip into thirds and lightly pressing down. Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling Add pepper jelly: Layer each ham strip with 1/2 teaspoon pepper jelly and another piece of cheese. Top with remaining 24 crackers, top sides up, to form a sandwich. Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling Brush on butter mixture: Stir together melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, everything bagel seasoning, and garlic powder until combined. Brush butter mixture evenly on top of cracker sandwiches. Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling Bake: Bake in preheated oven until cheese has melted and tops are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Garnish with pickle: Garnish each cracker sandwich with a piece of cornichon threaded onto a wooden pick, if desired. Serve immediately. Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling Rate It Print