Description
Holiday gatherings shine brighter with Christmas ham and cheese pinwheels, spiraling deliciousness onto party platters. Packed with savory ham, melted cheese, and festive herbs, these easy appetizers invite guests to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Dairy:
- 6 slices deli ham
- 6 slices Swiss or cheddar cheese
- 1 egg
Pastry Base:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 tsp) Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Dust work surface with flour and gently unfurl puff pastry sheet, creating an even rectangular base for assembly.
- Spread a delicate layer of zesty Dijon mustard across the pastry, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Meticulously arrange overlapping ham slices, creating a continuous protein layer that extends to pastry edges.
- Strategically place cheese slices atop the ham, maintaining a consistent distribution for balanced flavor in each pinwheel.
- Carefully roll the pastry from one long edge to another, creating a tight, compact cylindrical log with minimal air pockets.
- Chill the rolled log for 10 minutes to firm up, which enables cleaner and more precise cutting.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the log into uniform 1-inch thick pinwheel sections, revealing beautiful spiral patterns.
- Position pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing slight spacing between each piece for even browning.
- Gently brush exposed surfaces with egg wash, promoting a golden, glossy exterior during baking.
- Preheat oven to 375°F and bake for 15-18 minutes until pastry achieves a rich, puffy golden-brown coloration.
- Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm and crisp.
Notes
- Swap out ham for turkey or vegetarian deli slices to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences.
- Experiment with various cheeses like Swiss, Gruyère, or provolone to create unique flavor combinations.
- Enhance the mustard spread by mixing in fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an extra aromatic touch.
- Chill the rolled log for 15 minutes before slicing to ensure cleaner, more precise pinwheel cuts.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 50mg