Easter Ham Cheddar Pinwheels (Print Version)

Buttery puff pastry rolled with smoky ham, sharp cheddar, and fresh herbs, baked until golden and flaky.

# What You Need:

→ Pastry

01 - 1 sheet (approximately 8.8 oz) puff pastry, thawed if frozen

→ Filling

02 - 4 oz thinly sliced cooked ham
03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives or parsley
05 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 tablespoon milk or water
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 10 x 12 inch rectangle.
03 - Evenly spread the Dijon mustard over the pastry, leaving a ½ inch border on one long edge.
04 - Layer the ham slices over the mustard, then sprinkle with cheddar cheese and chopped herbs. Add a pinch of black pepper.
05 - Starting from the long edge opposite the border, tightly roll the pastry into a log, sealing the edge with a bit of water.
06 - Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up for easier slicing.
07 - Beat the egg with the milk or water to make an egg wash.
08 - Slice the chilled log into ½ inch thick pinwheels (approximately 24 pieces). Place them cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
09 - Brush the tops with egg wash.
10 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
11 - Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These come together in under 30 minutes but look like you spent all morning prep work
  • The flaky pastry with sharp cheddar creates this texture people cant stop talking about
02 -
  • I skipped the chilling step once and my pinwheels flattened into weird puddles in the oven
  • Using a serrated knife to slice gives you cleaner cuts that dont squish the pastry
03 -
  • If your pastry gets too soft while working, pop it back in the fridge for 5 minutes
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully in a 180°C (350°F) oven for about 5 minutes

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