Easter Ham Cheddar Pinwheels (Printable)

Buttery puff pastry spirals filled with smoky ham, sharp cheddar, and fresh herbs—ideal spring appetizers

# What You Need:

→ Pastry

01 - 1 sheet puff pastry (approximately 8 oz), 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

# Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and smoky ham creates those nostalgic flavors everyone craves at holiday gatherings
  • They come together in under 35 minutes but look like you spent all day preparing something special
02 -
  • Skip the freezer chilling step and your pinwheels will squish flat instead of holding that beautiful spiral shape
  • Overfilling seems like a good idea until cheese erupts from the sides and burns onto your baking sheet
03 -
  • Use a serrated knife and gentle sawing motion for the cleanest slices without squishing the log
  • Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots

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