by Kelly J. Larson

These sliders are legendary at parties. I’ve made a similar version with a sweetened butter drizzle, but these are more savory and the sweet Hawaiian rolls do rest of the magic. I made a batch today and refrigerated the rest for our family’s in and out schedule for this Labor Day weekend.

If you’re not much of a cook, but can make a sandwich — you’re in luck! These baked ham and cheese sliders could build your chef repertoire to rave reviews by your lucky guests.

Baked Ham & Cheese Sliders

• 24 Hawaiian rolls
• 1 pound thinly sliced ham
• 1 pound Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
• 1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1-1/2 tablespoons poppyseeds
• 24 stuffed green olives
• 24 baby dill pickles
• 24 fancy toothpicks

Butter the bottom of a 10-inch by 13-inch baking pan. With a serrated knife, cut the rolls in half in one or two large sections. Arrange the bottom halves of the rolls to cover the buttered baking pan. Even when you get a package of smashed rolls, like this box that came with the entire side panel flattened which made the four rows squished together, the finished product will be a success.

Layer half the ham, all the cheese, then the other half of the ham over the rolls in the pan. Cover the ham and cheese layers with the top half of the rolls.

Combine melted butter with chopped onions, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and poppyseeds. Drizzle over top of sandwiches, then evenly spread it over all the rolls. Bake at 350° F for 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool briefly, then cut into 24 sliders. Garnish with an olive and pickle on a toothpick. Makes 24 small sandwiches. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve later.

This recipe came from my friend, Dee Dee, who got it from Allrecipes. Either freshly chopped onions or dried onions will work.