Brie Tea Sandwich with Smoked Ham and Apples

A good toasted sandwich can elevate a tea party far above simple cucumber and white bread, and this Brie tea sandwich is downright divine. Made with creamy brie, smoked ham, and thinly sliced apples, it is made even more decadent by layering it on slices of fresh olive sourdough bread spread with caramelized onion jam.
With such a sandwich taking center stage, even the smallest tea party becomes a celebration.

How to Make a Brie Tea Sandwich

This ham, brie, and apple tea sandwich may seem daunting to make, but it really is a simple affair as long as you've got all your ingredients prepped before assembly.

Sourdough Bread

I love olive sourdough bread. It's chewy, toasts beautifully, and those big chunks of olive add a wonderful salty burst of goodness to this sandwich. If you aren't a fan, you can easily substitute plain sourdough bread or some other hearty bread that won't collapse after the first bite.
Butter each slice, spread it with caramelized onion jam, and you're ready to start layering on the good stuff.

Ham, Brie, and Apple Filling

The goal with this sandwich is to get all the flavors to blend together rather than one or two taking over the show. To accomplish this, I like to use thin slices of all the filling ingredients.
Smoked ham is perfect for this brie tea sandwich, especially when it's sliced thinly. Not only does it taste better in thin slices, but it's also easier to bite into than a big slab of ham.

Brie is a lovely cheese but is very tricky to slice when it gets to room temperature, so be sure to keep it chilled in the fridge until you're ready to make your sandwiches. Slice the cheese quickly and lay each slice out separately so they don't melt into each other.
I used Gala apples for my ham, brie, and apple tea sandwich because they're sweet and tart and hold their shape well when toasted. If you're making the sandwiches in advance, you'll want to dip the apple slices in lemon juice so they don't discolor.
Once your sandwiches are made, you can toast them in either a sandwich press or a frying pan. If you're using a frying pan, be careful when you're turning the sandwiches so you don't get burned by dripping hot brie.

Brie Tea Sandwich Pairings

These sandwiches are great for a tea party, especially if they're cut in smaller portions after toasting to make it easy for your guests to eat them. They are lovely served with a fruity salad such as our Arugula Salad with Candied Pecans, Savory Summer Veggie and Fava Bean Salad, or Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.
A cup of soup would also be a great addition to your tea party menu. Try our Chilled Avocado & Yogurt Soup with Tomato Salsa, Chamomile Corn Chowder, or Creamy Potato Soup with Fresh Dill.
A light and creamy dessert is just right after a hearty meal. Orange Gelatin with Whipped Cream and Candied Ginger is citrusy and simple, and our Tea Syllabub is a delightful old-fashioned dessert. If you want something a bit more flashy, try our Eton Mess with Earl Grey Strawberries and enjoy layers of shattered meringue, whipped cream, and strawberries soaked in tea syrup.
The fruity notes of your tea party will be echoed nicely in a fruity brew such as Blackberry Mojito black tea with lime, maple, and spearmint; Strawberries & Cream black tea with rose; or Peaches n’ Cream Oolong.