Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Sharp knife
• Pastry brush
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

For the Pinwheels

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 6–8 slices deli ham
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese or Dijon mustard
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Optional Seasonings

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Black pepper
• Chopped parsley
• Sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Remove the puff pastry from the refrigerator or freezer and allow it to thaw according to package directions.
2. Lightly flour your work surface and gently roll the pastry into a rectangle to smooth the seams.
3. Be careful not to overwork the dough because puff pastry needs cold layers of butter to rise properly.

Step 2: Spread the Base Layer

1. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese or Dijon mustard over the pastry.
2. This adds flavor and helps the filling stay in place while rolling.

Step 3: Add the Ham and Cheese

1. Layer the sliced ham evenly across the pastry sheet.
2. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top.
3. For extra flavor, add:
4. Garlic powder
5. Italian seasoning
6. Black pepper
7. The combination of ham and melted cheese creates the classic savory filling everyone loves.

Step 4: Roll the Pastry

1. Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the puff pastry into a log.

Rolling Intensity

1. Pressure Level: Gentle but firm
2. Goal: Tight spiral without squeezing filling out
3. A tight roll helps create neat pinwheel shapes during slicing.

Step 5: Chill the Roll

1. Wrap the rolled pastry log loosely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
2. Chilling helps the pastry firm up, making it easier to cut clean slices.

Step 6: Slice the Pinwheels

1. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into approximately 12 equal slices.
2. Place the pinwheels flat onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each one.

Nutrition

Calories: 210 · Protein: 8g · Fat: 14g · Carbohydrates: 14g · Saturated Fat: 6g · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 1g · Sodium: 420mg