Schwarzwald Recipe
Black Forest Ham / Cream Cheese / Apple Butter / White Onion
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Ingredients
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Sandwich
Method
Sandwich
- 1
Prepare ingredients
Remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator and let it soften for 10–15 minutes so it is easily spreadable. If your apple butter is very stiff, stir it to loosen. Peel and cut the white onion into very thin slices; separate into rings. If desired, prepare a small handful of arugula or thin apple slices for brightness.
- 2
Toast/Grill (optional)
If you prefer a warm, lightly grilled sandwich, preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Spread half of the bread slices lightly on one side with the room-temperature unsalted butter (about 1 tbsp total per side for all sandwiches). Keep the other half unbuttered for the inside.
- 3
Assemble sandwiches
On the unbuttered side of each bottom slice, spread a uniform layer of softened cream cheese (about 3/4 oz–1 oz per slice; total ~6 oz across 4 sandwiches). On top of the cream cheese, spread apple butter thinly (about 1 tsp–1 tbsp depending on taste; aim for ~1 tbsp per sandwich). Arrange 3 oz of Black Forest ham per sandwich (approx. 3–4 thin slices) on top of the apple butter. Distribute thin white onion rings over the ham (use a few rings per sandwich). Season lightly with freshly ground black pepper. If using arugula or apple slices, add a small amount now. Top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side outward if grilling.
- 4
Grill or serve cold
For a grilled sandwich: place assembled sandwiches butter-side down on the preheated skillet. Press gently with a spatula or a weighted panini press. Cook 3–4 minutes until golden and crisp, then flip and grill the other side 2–3 minutes until bread is golden and cream cheese is warmed through but not melted. For cold sandwiches: slice immediately after assembly and serve. Repeat for remaining sandwiches.
- 5
Slice and serve
Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board and let rest 1 minute. Slice each sandwich in half on the diagonal. Serve immediately while warm or wrapped for later. Offer extra apple butter and cracked black pepper at the table.