Quick and easy to make and come from the Amish. They make great appetizers and snacks.

 

Simple Pleasures from the Amish Kitchen

Quick and easy to make and come from the Amish. They make great appetizers and snacks.

It’s the kind of recipe that doesn’t demand fancy ingredients or complex techniques. It doesn’t need an expensive mixer or a culinary degree. Instead, it leans on what the Amish do best: hearty, simple, no-fuss cooking that tastes like home.

The Amish kitchen is built around comfort, community, and practicality. Recipes are passed down through generations and shared at church suppers, barn dances, and long farmhouse tables. Today’s recipe for Amish Ham and Cheese Pinwheels fits perfectly into that tradition. They are savory, cheesy spirals of soft dough, filled with salty ham and melty cheese, baked until golden, and often brushed with a buttery mustard glaze.

They’re portable, satisfying, freezer-friendly, and—best of all—they disappear fast at gatherings. These pinwheels are perfect for after-school snacks, lunchbox additions, game-day appetizers, or holiday trays. They're also a great make-ahead meal for busy weeks.

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What Makes These Amish?

The Amish are known for cooking with basic, wholesome ingredients, often sourced from their own gardens or local farms. Their recipes emphasize:

• Homemade doughs and breads

• Preserved or cured meats like ham

• Simple cheeses like cheddar or Colby

• No waste – perfect for using leftover holiday ham

This recipe channels that same practical spirit. It takes familiar pantry staples and transforms them into something warm, comforting, and downright addictive.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This version includes a homemade dough (very easy, we promise), a rich ham-and-cheese filling, and a flavorful mustard butter glaze that takes everything over the top.

For the Dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F or 43°C)

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 2 ½ to 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil

For the Filling:

• 1 ½ cups finely chopped cooked ham

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Colby, Swiss, or a blend)

• 1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard (optional)

• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise or cream cheese (optional for creaminess)

• Freshly ground black pepper

For the Glaze (Optional but Recommended):

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional for sweetness)

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Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Rolling pin

• Whisk or spoon

• Baking sheet or 9x13" baking dish

• Parchment paper

• Knife or bench scraper

• Pastry brush (for glaze)

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Step-by-Step Instructions

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Step 1: Make the Dough (10 minutes active, 1 hour rising)

1. Activate the yeast:
In a large bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

📝 No foam? Start over. Your milk may be too hot or too cold, or your yeast is expired.

2. Mix the dough:
Add salt and melted butter (or oil), then gradually stir in the flour, ½ cup at a time, until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.

3. Knead:
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4. First rise:
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

⏳ Shortcut: If you're in a hurry, you can use store-bought pizza dough or crescent roll dough.

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Step 2: Prepare the Filling (5 minutes)

While the dough rises:

• Finely chop the ham (leftovers or deli slices work great).

• Shred the cheese.

• Mix together the ham, cheese, mustard, and mayonnaise or cream cheese in a bowl. Add a little black pepper to taste.

This mixture should be thick but spreadable. If it seems too dry, add a bit more mayo or a spoonful of sour cream.

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Step 3: Roll and Fill the Dough (10 minutes)

1. Roll it out:
Once risen, punch down the dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle, about 12x18 inches.

2. Spread the filling:
Spread the ham and cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border on all sides.

3. Roll it up:
Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a tight log—just like cinnamon rolls. Pinch the seam to seal.

4. Slice:
Cut the roll into 12 even pieces. You can use a sharp knife or dental floss for clean slices.

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Step 4: Second Rise (Optional but Improves Texture)

Place the pinwheels cut-side up in a greased 9x13" baking dish or on a parchment-lined sheet. Cover and let rise again for 20–30 minutes while the oven preheats.

🕒 No time? You can skip this second rise, but your rolls may be slightly denser.

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Step 5: Make the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• Melted butter

• Mustard

• Worcestershire

• Onion powder

• Brown sugar

• Poppy seeds (if using)

Brush the glaze generously over the tops of the pinwheels.

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Step 6: Bake

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and cheese is bubbly.

🔔 Optional: For extra browning, broil for the last 1–2 minutes—watch closely!

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Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Let cool slightly, then serve warm. They’re great as-is, or you can offer dipping sauces like:

• Honey mustard

• Ranch dressing

• Creamy horseradish

• Spicy mayo

These pinwheels are best fresh from the oven but also reheat beautifully in the microwave or toaster oven.

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How to Store and Freeze

Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

Freezing (Before Baking):
Place unbaked pinwheels on a tray and freeze. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 30–35 minutes.

Freezing (After Baking):
Let cool completely, then freeze in portions. Reheat directly from frozen at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.

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Serving Ideas

These Amish ham and cheese pinwheels are incredibly versatile. Serve them:

• As appetizers at parties or potlucks

• Packed in school or work lunches

• As a weekend brunch side

• For game day snacks

• With soup or salad for a simple dinner

They pair wonderfully with creamy tomato soup, potato chowder, or even eggs and fruit for breakfast.

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Tips & Variations

• Use other meats: Try turkey, bacon, sausage crumbles, or roast beef.

• Make it vegetarian: Use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or caramelized onions instead of ham.

• Add herbs: A sprinkle of dill, parsley, or thyme in the filling brightens the flavor.

• Use different cheeses: Swiss, provolone, pepper jack, or gouda all work well.

• Make minis: Slice thinner and bake on a sheet for bite-sized party snacks.

• Make sweet versions: Fill with cream cheese and jam or cinnamon sugar and butter.

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Nutrition Information (Approximate, per pinwheel – serves 12)

• Calories: 220

• Protein: 9g

• Carbs: 18g

• Fat: 12g

• Fiber: 1g

• Calcium: 100mg

• Sodium: 420mg

📌 Nutrition will vary based on ingredients used.

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A Final Word: Why These Are a Must-Make

These Amish ham and cheese pinwheels are the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen hero—with very little effort. They’re buttery, warm, cheesy, salty, soft, and just a bit crispy on the edges. They smell amazing while baking, and they’re fun to eat—pull-apart style.

And best of all? They remind us that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be simple, satisfying, and shared with the people we love most.

So the next time you’re wondering what to serve at a gathering, what to pack for lunch, or how to use up that leftover ham—remember this recipe. It just might become one you make every week… if you can keep it in the house!