An easy and delicious twist on the traditional Monte Cristo sandwich! So many of the dishes I share here are ones that have been in my family for years, but there are a few that I’ve recently tried and are now part of my regular recipe rotation. One of those is my Monte Cristo pinwheels. I’ve been a huge fan of Monte Cristo sandwiches since I was a child and first had them in Disneyland. They are similar to a ham and cheese sandwich but are dipped in an egg batter and deep fried. They are then dusted with powdered sugar, served with jam, and are as decadent as they sound. I’ve made them at home, but they aren’t easy. My pinwheels are loaded with savory ham and turkey, melted cheese, and sweet jam, but instead of the mess of deep frying, these are baked and so much easier to make. These tasty little pinwheels are something I made several times during the holidays and have quickly become a new family favorite.
Belle’s Monte Cristo Pinwheels
1 tube crescent dough sheet
8 slices mozzarella cheese
6 thin slices turkey
6 thin slices ham
½ cup jam (I like raspberry, blackberry, or a seasonal cranberry)
Powdered sugar
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. On a cutting board, unroll the dough sheet and stretch to make a perfect rectangle. Spread the dough evenly with the jam. Place the slices of cheese evenly on top to cover the dough, and then layer with the turkey and ham. Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a log and place the seam underneath. With a very sharp, serrated knife, slice the log into eight equal pinwheels. Place them cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
