Ham and Cheese Pinwheels (Printable Version)
Flaky golden pastry spirals with ham and melted cheese
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 1 sheet puff pastry (approximately 9 oz), thawed if frozen
→ Filling
02 - 5 oz thinly sliced ham
03 - 3.5 oz shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese
04 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
05 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (optional)
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Finish
07 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Unroll puff pastry on lightly floured surface. Spread Dijon mustard evenly over surface if using.
03 - Arrange ham slices evenly on pastry, leaving ½ inch border along one long edge. Sprinkle shredded cheese and chives over ham. Season with black pepper.
04 - Starting from opposite long edge, tightly roll pastry into log toward border. Press edge firmly to seal.
05 - Slice roll into 16 even pieces. Place pinwheels cut side up on prepared baking sheet, spacing apart.
06 - Brush tops with beaten egg for glossy finish.
07 - Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
08 - Let cool slightly before serving warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They look fancy but come together in under 30 minutes with almost zero effort
- The combination of flaky pastry salty ham and melty cheese is impossible to resist
02 -
- Cold pastry is your best friend here. If the butter starts melting before it hits the oven you lose those flaky layers we all love
- A sharp knife is essential for clean slices. Sawing through the dough squishes it and ruins the pretty spiral shape
03 -
- Chill the rolled log for 15 minutes before slicing. The firmer dough cuts cleaner and holds its shape better in the oven
- Use dental floss or unflavored fishing line instead of a knife for perfectly uniform slices without squishing