Description
Make impressive, flaky stacks using puff pastry layered with ham and cheese. This recipe is perfect for appetizers or light meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 4 slices deli ham, thinly sliced
- 4 slices Swiss cheese or Gruyère
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the sheet into 9 equal squares.
- Place one pastry square on the prepared baking sheet. Top it with one slice of ham, then one slice of cheese.
- Place a second pastry square directly on top of the cheese layer. Gently press the edges together to seal.
- Repeat this layering process (pastry, ham, cheese, pastry) until you have 3 complete stacks, using all ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create the egg wash. Brush the tops and sides of each stack lightly with the egg wash. Sprinkle with black pepper.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flakiness, chill the assembled stacks for 15 minutes before applying the egg wash and baking.
- Substitute Gruyère with sharp cheddar or provolone for a different flavor profile.
- Add a thin layer of Dijon mustard between the ham and cheese for a tangy flavor.
- If you want taller stacks, use smaller squares of pastry and aim for 4 or 5 layers per stack, adjusting bake time slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stack half
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 14
- Cholesterol: 45