Ingredients

Serves 12 children (makes 32 triangles)

　　1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened

　　16 slices firm white sandwich bread

　　8 thin slices boiled ham (1/4 lb)

　　8 thin slices Swiss cheese (1/4 lb)

　　

Special Equipment

a large square or rectangular electric waffle iron (not a Belgian waffle iron)

　　

Step 1

Preheat waffle iron on high until just beginning to smoke. Reduce heat to moderate and brush generously with some butter.

　　

Step 2

Spread butter on 1 side of 8 bread slices and turn slices over. Top 4 slices with 1 slice ham and 1 slice cheese, folding in any overhang, then top with remaining 4 buttered bread slices, buttered sides up. Cook sandwiches in batches (number of batches will depend on size of your waffle maker) until bread is golden and crisp, 4 to 6 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Assemble and cook 4 more sandwiches in same manner.

　　

Step 4

Just before serving, cut each sandwich into 4 triangles.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Sandwiches can be cooked 4 hours ahead and cooled completely, then kept, wrapped in plastic wrap, at room temperature. Reheat in 1 layer on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven until heated through, about 6 minutes, before cutting into triangles.