Tasty Ham Cheese Pinwheels

My family swears by these savory ham and cheese spirals as our must-have party starter. The crisp, buttery pastry wraps delicious ham and gooey cheese into tiny flavor-packed bites that vanish quickly at every get-together.

I first threw these spirals together when I needed something fast but fancy for an unexpected sports viewing party. They were such a success that now everyone expects them whenever they stop by my place.

Ingredients

• Crescent dough tube: Your shortcut to flakiness without any fuss
• Honey ham: Gives that sweet-salty kick that works amazingly with cheese
• Swiss cheese: Brings an earthy taste that melts wonderfully
• White American cheese: Delivers that smooth meltiness tying everything together
• Unsalted butter: Makes the awesome brushing sauce
• Dijon mustard: Cuts the richness with a zingy punch
• Poppy seeds: Add tiny crunchy bits and make it pretty
• Garlic powder: Gives the butter a tasty aroma
• Worcestershire sauce: Sneaks in that can't-quite-place-it goodness
• Fine sea salt: Wakes up all the other flavors

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Your Baking Dish:

Heat your oven to 350°F and spray your 9x13 baking dish really well. Don't skimp here or you'll be scraping stuck pinwheels off the pan later.

Prepare the Dough:

Pop open and unroll the crescent dough onto your cutting board making one big sheet. Press the dotted lines together so you've got a smooth rectangle. Gently flatten it to about 10x13 inches so it's all the same thickness.

Layer the Fillings:

Put ham slices all over the dough but leave about half an inch empty around the edges so it'll seal right. Next add a layer of Swiss cheese and top it off with American cheese covering everything evenly.

Roll and Slice:

From the shorter side roll everything up tight like a cinnamon roll. Keep the pressure steady for a nice compact roll. With a sharp bread knife cut into 16 pieces. The easiest way is to keep cutting each piece in half until you reach 16 slices.

Arrange in Baking Dish:

Set each spiral cut-side up in your dish. Leave a bit of room between them since they'll puff up while baking.

Create and Apply the Butter Sauce:

Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds. Mix in the Dijon mustard poppy seeds garlic powder Worcestershire sauce and salt until everything's blended. Brush this yummy mix all over the tops of your spirals.

Bake to Golden Perfection:

Bake them uncovered for 20 to 24 minutes. You'll know they're done when the tops turn light golden and they've puffed up nicely. The cheese should be bubbling and completely melted.

Cool and Serve:

Let them sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the cheese firm up a bit so they're easier to grab. Sprinkle with some chopped parsley if you want them to look fancy.

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The butter sauce is what makes these spirals extra special. I came up with it randomly while trying to keep the tops from getting dry in the oven. Now my family always asks for extra sauce on the side. Something about the mix of Dijon and poppy seeds turns basic ingredients into something that'll wow everyone.

Make-Ahead Magic

These spirals are a lifesaver when you need to plan ahead. You can do all the prep work right up to putting them in the baking dish then wrap it tight with plastic and stick it in the fridge for up to a day. When you're ready just mix up fresh butter sauce take the dish out while your oven warms up brush the sauce on top and pop them in. You might need to add 3-5 more minutes if they're cold from the fridge.

Smart Substitutions

Don't want honey ham? Try smoked turkey regular ham or pepperoni for a kick. Switch up the cheese with provolone if you want something stronger or pepper jack for some heat. Veggie fans can swap the ham for thin sliced roasted red peppers and some spinach. Anyone avoiding dairy can use plant-based butter for the topping sauce.

Serving Suggestions

These spirals fit in anywhere. For watching sports put them out with some honey mustard and ranch for dipping. Going fancy? Arrange them on a nice platter with little bowls of different mustards and some herb sprigs. They taste great with crisp white wine or light beer. Want to make it a meal? Add a green salad on the side to balance out the richness.

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Tasty, cozy, and super adaptable, these ham and cheese spirals will soon become your go-to appetizer whenever company's coming.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these Ham and Cheese Pinwheels ahead of time?

You sure can! Put them together up to a day before, arrange in your baking dish, wrap with plastic and pop in the fridge. When you're ready to cook, take them out, pour on the butter mix and bake as normal, just add about 3-5 more minutes to the cooking time.

→ What's the best way to slice the pinwheels evenly?

A bread knife works best for clean cuts. To get same-sized pieces, cut the roll down the middle first, then cut those halves in half, and keep dividing until you've got 16 pieces. You can also cool the rolled dough in the fridge for 15 minutes so it holds its shape better when you cut it.

→ Can I use different types of cheese?

For sure! Swiss and white American melt great together, but you can swap in cheddar, provolone, Gruyère, or Havarti if you want. Just make sure your cheese is sliced thin so it melts nicely and doesn't make rolling tough.

→ What can I serve with Ham and Cheese Pinwheels?

These rolls taste great with honey mustard sauce, marinara, or ranch for dipping. If you want to make a complete snack platter, add some fresh cut veggies, fruit chunks, or a small salad to balance out the rich, savory bites.

→ How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Let them cool down and then put them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To warm them up, place them in your oven at 325°F for about 5-7 minutes until they're heated through. Don't use the microwave or they'll end up all soggy.

→ Can I freeze Ham and Cheese Pinwheels?

You bet! Freeze them raw or cooked. For uncooked ones, freeze them on a tray first, then bag them up once they're solid. Cook them straight from frozen, just add 7-10 minutes to the baking time. For cooked ones, let them cool completely, freeze on a tray, then put in a freezer bag. Warm them up frozen at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.