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Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches

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Donna Urso
Are you wondering how to make delicious finger sandwiches for a brunch, bridal shower, tea, or book club meeting? 

One look at these calla lily tea sandwiches and you might think they are far too fussy for you to make for your special gathering.  

Fear not! These calla lily tea sandwiches are adorable, tasty, and not too fussy once you get your assembly technique down. Best of all, these calla lily finger sandwiches make a beautiful presentation on your buffet table.

Calla Lily Finger Sandwiches

(This post includes affiliate links.)
Calla lily finger sandwiches for your next bridal shower or tea.
Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches

If you are looking for finger sandwiches that are a little different, you have found them here. These calla lily sandwiches are a perfect little bite to add to your party menu.  They are especially perfect for bridal shower teas.  

No bridal showers in your future?  These sandwiches would also be fun to serve at your next book club meeting or to your girlfriends who are stopping by for a glass of wine after work. Below you'll see a picture of my calla lily sandwiches made for a bridal shower.

A table of various tea sandwiches.

Why You’ll Love These Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches

If you are looking for a recipe that brings a touch of elegance and a "wow" factor to your next gathering, these Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches are the answer. Whether you are hosting a bridal shower, a baby shower, or an elegant Easter brunch, these sandwiches look like miniature works of art but are surprisingly simple to assemble.

What makes this recipe a perennial favorite on Just One Donna is the perfect balance of flavors: the creamy, herbed filling paired with the soft texture of white bread, finished with a bright "stamen" of cheddar or carrot. They aren't just sandwiches; they are the centerpiece of your tea tray. Best of all, they can be prepped ahead of time, leaving you free to enjoy your guests!

Make them ahead of time. Make your fillings a day ahead to let the flavors develop.  You can also make the sandwiches a day ahead.  
Delicious calla lily tea sandwiches.

You can use a variety of fillings. Search for tea sandwiches online,  and you'll find many links to a variety of fillings.  These sandwiches are best suited to a smooth, well-seasoned filling.  Use a food processor for the best results. My favorites are the Boursin cheese and the smoked salmon fillings included below.  Think about any savory spread you like for ideas about other fillings you may use.

They make a wow presentation.  If you want a stand-out option on your bridal shower menu, choose these calla lily tea sandwiches. Imagine how platters of these pretty sandwiches will look.

They are delicious little finger sandwiches. You'll want to make a lot of these tea sandwiches because your guests will love them!

Pro Tips for Successful Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches

Here are some tips that will ensure your success.
Don't buy a fancy loaf of bread for this recipe.  Any white sandwich bread works perfectly.

Taste your filling to be sure it is yummy.  All the flavor in the sandwiches comes from the filling.  You need to be sure the filling is perfectly seasoned.

Use a lightly dampened paper towel to cover the sandwiches as you make them to keep the completed sandwiches from drying out while you assemble the rest.

Save time by using pre-cut carrot matchsticks.  You'll find them in the produce section of your grocery store.

Set up an assembly line.  Pre-cut the green onion stalks, cut four to six bread rounds at a time, and complete one step completely before moving on to the next step.

The scallions are meant to be eaten as part of the sandwich.  You may want to omit additional onions in your filling.

Step-by-Step: The Secret to the Perfect Calla Lily Fold

The key to a beautiful Calla Lily sandwich is ensuring the bread stays pliable so it doesn't tear during the "floral" shaping process.

1. Prepare the "Petal"

  • Use a fresh, soft loaf of thin-sliced white bread.

  • Use a 2 1/2-inch circular cookie cutter (or a large glass) to cut a perfect circle from the center of each slice.

  • Donna’s Pro Tip: Lightly flatten the bread circle with a rolling pin. This makes the bread more flexible and prevents it from snapping when you fold it.

2. Add the "Dewdrop" (The Filling)

  • Spread a thin, even layer of your cream cheese mixture over the entire circle.

  • Be sure to get close to the edges—this acts as the "glue" that will hold your flower together.

3. The Signature Fold

  • Imagine your bread circle is a clock. Gently lift the "8 o'clock" and "4 o'clock" edges.

  • Bring them together toward the bottom center, overlapping them slightly to create a cone shape (the "funnel" of the lily).

  • Press firmly where the bread overlaps; the cream cheese will seal the seam.

4. Add the Stamen

  • Cut a thin strip (about 1.5 inches long) of sharp cheddar cheese or a matchstick-sized piece of carrot.

  • Insert the strip into the center of the "flower" so it peeks out the top.

  • Gently flare the top edges of the bread outward to mimic a blooming petal.

5. The Finishing Touch

  • Tuck a small sprig of fresh flat-leaf parsley or a chive into the bottom of the "cone" to act as the stem.

Step-by-step visual guide for folding Calla Lily tea sandwiches by Just One Donna.

Donna’s Pro Tip: The "Flexible Petal" Secret

"To get that beautiful, elegant flare without the bread snapping, here is my favorite 'Just One Donna' trick: Once you’ve cut your bread into a circle, give it a very light pass with a rolling pin before spreading your cream cheese. This slightly flattens the bread and makes it much more pliable. It’s the secret to a perfectly smooth Calla Lily tea sandwich every time!"

Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches Recipe

finger sandwiches, bridal shower food, easy tea sandwiches
lunch, dinner, party food
American
Yield: 48 sandwiches
Author: Donna Urso
Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches

Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches

Herb or salmon-filled finger sandwiches, shaped like calla lilies are perfect for a bridal shower or book club gathering.

Prep time: 60 MinTotal time: 1 Hour

Ingredients

Boursin Cheese Filling
Smoked Salmon Filling

Instructions

To Make the Calla Lily Sandwiches
  1. With a 2-1/2" round biscuit cutter, cut 48 bread circles from the loaves of white bread.
  2. Using a rolling pin, flatten each bread circle.
  3. Place a teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle. Stick a carrot matchstick into the top of a scallion and place it onto the base of the circle.
  4. Sprinkle paprika over the filling for garnish.
  5. Pinch the sides of the circle together at the base of the circle to form the calla lily flower.
  6. Cover the sandwiches with a lightly dampened paper towel to keep them from drying out while you are assembling the sandwiches. Remove the paper towel and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  7. Refrigerate until serving.
To Make the Fillings
  1. Choose the filling.
  2. Place all of the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor.
  3. Pulse to process until very smooth.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  5. Clean the food processor before starting a different flavor filling.

Recommended Products

Food Processor

White Serving Platters

Tiered Serving Tray

Nutrition Facts

Calories

44

Fat (grams)

4 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

2 g

Carbs (grams)

2 g

Fiber (grams)

0 g

Net carbs

2 g

Sugar (grams)

1 g

Protein (grams)

1 g

Sodium (milligrams)

68 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

9 mg

Nutrional information is approximate.

Similar Recipes

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Caramelized Onion Dip

©Just One Donna

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Calla Lily finger sandwiches for a bridal tea or book club.


I thank you for sharing!

 Enjoy!

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Updated March 26, 2026

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