Easter Ham Cheddar Pinwheels (Printable)

Flaky pastry spirals filled with ham, cheddar, and herbs

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pastry Components

01 - 1 sheet puff pastry (approximately 9 oz), thawed if frozen

→ Filling Ingredients

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 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Egg Wash

07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 tablespoon milk or water

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle approximately 10 x 12 inches.
03 - Spread the Dijon mustard evenly over the pastry surface, leaving a ½-inch border on one long edge.
04 - Arrange the ham slices over the mustard, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped herbs. Season with black pepper.
05 - Starting from the long edge opposite the border, roll the pastry tightly into a log shape. Seal the edge with a small amount of water.
06 - Wrap the log in plastic wrap and freeze for 10 minutes to firm up. This step ensures clean, even slices.
07 - Whisk together the egg and milk or water until thoroughly combined.
08 - Cut the chilled log into ½-inch thick slices, yielding approximately 24 pinwheels. Place cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, leaving slight space between each.
09 - Brush the tops of each pinwheel with the egg wash mixture using a pastry brush.
10 - Bake for 16-18 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
11 - Transfer the pinwheels to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in under 30 minutes but look like you spent all day preparing something special
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and smoky ham is absolutely addictive, even for picky eaters
02 -
  • Skip the chilling step and your pinwheels will squish into sad oval shapes instead of holding their pretty spiral form
  • Room temperature pastry becomes a sticky nightmare, work quickly and keep everything cool including your hands
03 -
  • Use a serrated knife with gentle sawing motions for the cleanest slices without squishing the pastry
  • Space them at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet so they have room to puff properly

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