Description

These Crispy Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Stacks are a delicious, easy-to-make treat perfect for snacks or appetizers. Made with just four main ingredients, these stacks combine flaky, buttery puff pastry with savory Black Forest ham and melted Gruyère cheese, finished with a touch of Dijon mustard for tangy richness. They bake to golden perfection and deliver an irresistible combination of crispy texture and gooey cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Puff Pastry Stacks

2 sheets Puff Pastry (Use butter-based varieties for best results)
0.25 pound Black Forest Ham (Thinly sliced; can substitute with Virginia or smoked ham)
0.5 pound Gruyère Cheese (Shredded; can replace with aged cheddar or Swiss cheese)
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard (Optional; contributes tanginess)
1 number Egg (Beaten for egg wash)
Flour (To dust work surface)

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Instructions

Prepare the puff pastry: Remove the puff pastry sheets from the freezer and let them thaw slightly on a lightly floured surface until pliable but still cold, about 15 minutes. This prevents tearing during handling.
Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the stacks to a golden crisp.
Assemble the stacks: Cut each puff pastry sheet into equal squares (usually 3×3 squares per sheet). On half of the squares, spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard, then layer slices of ham and a generous amount of shredded Gruyère cheese. Top each with a plain square of puff pastry.
Seal and brush: Press the edges of the stacked squares gently with a fork to seal. Brush the tops with beaten egg wash to promote browning and gloss.
Bake the stacks: Place the assembled pastry stacks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and crisp.
Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the stacks cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow cheese to set slightly and avoid burning your mouth.

Notes

Use butter-based puff pastry for the best flavor and flakiness.
Substitute ham varieties according to preference, such as Virginia or smoked ham.
If you prefer a milder cheese, Swiss or aged cheddar are great options.
To make the stacks extra crispy, chill them briefly in the fridge before baking.
The Dijon mustard is optional but adds delightful tanginess that complements the ham and cheese.