![Ham and Cheese Danish](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/MJCCiwDbtMabX49pPgJUxE6qGho=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ham-and-cheese-danish-FT-RECIPE0322-1cc68f09d7834eda9bba089501dec649.jpg)
Ingredients
-
1 (14-oz.) pkg. frozen all-butter puff pastry (such as Dufour), thawed
-
All-purpose flour, for work surface and sprinkling
-
1 large egg
-
1 tablespoon water
-
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
-
4 ounces Gruyère cheese, roughly chopped (about 3/4 cup)
-
¾ cup heavy whipping cream
-
2 tablespoons honey
-
¼ teaspoon black pepper
-
24 (1/2-oz.) thin serrano ham or other dry-cured ham slices
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Unfold pastry onto a lightly floured work surface; sprinkle pastry lightly with flour. Trim pastry edges to form a 12- x 9-inch rectangle; discard scraps. Cut dough into 12 (2- x 4 1/2-inch) pieces. Arrange dough pieces in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Whisk together egg and water in a small bowl; brush evenly over tops of pastry pieces. Sprinkle tops evenly with sugar. Chill in freezer 15 minutes.
-
Transfer baking sheet to preheated oven; bake until pastry pieces are puffed and golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely, about 15 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, process cheese in a food processor until cheese starts to clump together, about 1 minute. Place cream in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high. Immediately remove from heat; let cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Pour cream into a small liquid measuring cup; with food processor running, carefully and slowly pour hot cream onto cheese, processing until cheese is fully melted and mixture is incorporated, about 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl; refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a spreadable consistency, about 45 minutes. (Alternatively, let mixture cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Then freeze, stirring occasionally, until spreadable, about 20 minutes.)
-
Microwave honey in a small microwavable bowl on HIGH until hot and runny, about 20 seconds. Stir in pepper. Spread cheese mixture evenly onto pastry pieces (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each). Fold and drape 2 ham slices on top of each piece. Drizzle evenly with pepper honey. Serve immediately