Ingredients
Pinwheel Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed but cold; use gluten-free if needed – recommended brands: Dufour or Sweet Loren’s)
- 3/4 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 medium crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Pink Lady recommended)
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing)
- Honey (for drizzling)
- Fresh sage leaves (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Apple: Coarsely grate the apple with the skin on. Then, wrap the grated apple in a clean towel or paper towels and squeeze out as much juice as possible until you have about 1/3 cup of grated apple. This prevents excess moisture in the pinwheels.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Unroll the cold puff pastry sheet onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Smooth out any creases gently with a light rolling pin without thinning the dough.
- Add Fillings: Evenly sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar over the puff pastry, leaving a 1/2-inch border along one long edge. Then layer the grated apple, chopped sage, black pepper, and salt evenly over the cheese.
- Roll the Pastry: Starting from the opposite long edge of the border, carefully roll the pastry into a snug log, similar to rolling a cinnamon roll. Once rolled, place it seam-side down to keep its shape.
- Chill the Log: Refrigerate the rolled log for 15 minutes. This step is crucial as it firms the dough and helps the spirals retain their shape when sliced and baked.
- Slice Pinwheels: Using a sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion, slice the log into 8 pinwheels about 1 inch thick. Avoid pressing straight down to keep the shapes intact.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the pinwheels cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If any pieces are oval, reshape them into circles and tuck loose pastry underneath for neat presentation.
- Brush with Butter and Bake: Brush the exposed pastry surfaces with melted butter to promote browning and flavor. Bake for 15 minutes or until the pinwheels are deeply golden and the cheddar is bubbling and crisp at the edges.
- Finish and Serve: Let the pinwheels rest a few minutes after baking. Drizzle lightly with honey and garnish with fresh sage leaves if using. Serve warm and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry sheet is cold when unrolling to prevent sticking and tearing.
- Removing excess moisture from the grated apple is key to avoid soggy pinwheels.
- Chilling the rolled log before slicing helps maintain spiral shape during baking.
- Use a sharp, serrated knife for neat slices without squashing the log.
- Optional garnish with fresh sage leaves adds a lovely aromatic touch.
- For a gluten-free version, select gluten-free puff pastry brands like Dufour or Sweet Loren’s.
- Honey drizzle adds a subtle sweetness complementing the sharp cheddar and sage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian