Funeral Sandwiches Recipe ~ Definitely for the Living!

Growing up in a southern family I've eaten my fair share of funeral sandwiches. After I married and moved away they kind of fell off of my radar. Funeral dinners often consisted of various casseroles but not the ones I grew up on.

I was recently reminded of them while I was at my son’s house after our newest grandson was born. A sweet family from their church brought over dinner and it consisted of what I knew as “funeral sandwiches”, a couple of bags of chips, a tin of chocolate chip cookies and a gallon of delicious sweet tea. Let me just say, southern people really know how to show their love!

Funeral Sandwiches are definitely for the living. They are the easiest thing to make and take to someone you care about. They are delicious enough to have at a special family gathering. And they are wonderful for an end of a crazy busy day meal.

So for your eating delight . . . here’s my Grandma Lillie’s recipe:

 

Lillie Mae’s Funeral Sandwiches

1 pkg of dinner rolls (She ALWAYS used King’s Hawaiian rolls, but Aunt Sally used regular rolls)

½ - 1 lb deli sliced ham

½ lb thinly sliced swiss cheese (we’ve also used provolone)

½ C melted butter

2 T brown sugar

2 T Worcestershire sauce

2 T mustard (spicy mustard adds a nice kick)

1 tsp onion powder

(At this point Aunt Sally would add some poppy seeds. Grandma Lillie never would because they got in her dentures, not that she would ever admit to that!)

1. Split the whole package of rolls in half and lay the bottom half in your 13 x 9 pan.

2. Layer the deli ham over the top of the roll bottoms.

3. Add a layer of the swiss  cheese.

4. Put the tops of the buns back on.

5. In a bowl, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and onion powder.

6. Brush the top of each bun with the mixture. Drizzle the remainder over all of it.

7. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 24 hours is really the best.

8. When you are ready to make them heat the oven to 350°. Bake the sandwiches covered for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes more.

There you have it! Now go make a batch or two for yourself or a friend. They are a perfect way to say I care. Just remember to put them in a disposable pan so the intended recipient isn’t burdened with washing and returning! (That’s the free momma advice coming out of me!)