Description
A quick and elegant savory pastry dish filled with layers of thinly sliced ham and gooey melted cheese, wrapped in flaky puff pastry—perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 8 slices thinly sliced ham
- 8 slices cheese (Gruyère, Swiss, or Cheddar)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- All-purpose flour (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s hot and ready when the stacks go in. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the Pastry: Lightly dust a work surface with flour and unfold the puff pastry sheets. Gently roll them to even out the thickness and smooth the creases without making them too thin.
- Assemble the Filling: Place one sheet of puff pastry on the baking sheet. Evenly layer the ham slices, leaving a half-inch border around the edges. Add the cheese slices on top of the ham. If you like a hint of tang, spread Dijon mustard directly on the cheese before topping.
- Seal the Stack: Carefully lay the second puff pastry sheet on top. Press gently to seal, and use a fork to crimp the edges all around. This helps keep the cheese inside during baking and gives the edges a neat finish.
- Add the Egg Wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl and use a pastry brush to coat the top of the pastry evenly. This gives the final bake a shiny, golden finish. If you don’t have a brush, use the back of a spoon or your fingers.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and deeply golden. The cheese should be melted and slightly bubbling near the edges.
- Cool and Slice: Let the pastry cool for 5 minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- To avoid cheese leakage, don’t overfill and make sure the pastry edges are tightly sealed.
- You can substitute the ham with turkey, roast beef, or a vegetarian alternative like sautéed mushrooms.
- Adding fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary between the layers can elevate the flavor.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer to preserve the crispness—microwaving will soften the pastry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 8 servings)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg