These Black Forest Ham Pinwheels will quickly become your new go-to appetizer recipe. Freshly cut ham is layered with seasoned cream cheese, dried cherries, green onions, Swiss cheese, and just a drizzle of honey. The flavors go so well together that it’s hard to say no.
I need another pinwheel recipe on this blog like I need a hole in the head. Ha! Nevertheless, I could not resist making and sharing these ham pinwheels.
If I’m being honest (and don’t tell the others), these might be the best pinwheels I’ve ever made. Considering all of the pinwheel recipes I’ve posted, that’s saying something!.
There’s some debate on whether you call these pinwheels or roll-ups. I can’t tell the difference, but these flavorful swirly bites are definitely party classics, no matter what you call them.
Black Forest ham is a smoked ham that hails from the Black Forest region of Germany. It has a distinctive smoky, salty, and slightly sweet flavor that makes it a delicious addition to sandwiches and charcuterie boards. But what cheese should you serve with this unique type of ham? Here are some of my top picks.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is an ideal match for Black Forest ham. The nutty, mellow flavor of Swiss perfectly complements the smokiness of the ham. Additionally, Swiss has a firm, sliceable texture that pairs well with cold cuts.
For sandwiches, try pairing thin slices of Swiss with Black Forest ham on rye or sourdough bread. The classic combo also makes a great lunch or appetizer when enjoyed with crackers or a crispy baguette.
Aged Swiss cheeses like Emmentaler have more robust flavor to stand up to the ham. But even mild Baby Swiss adds a tasty counterpoint.
Gouda
Gouda is another excellent cheese pairing for Black Forest ham sandwiches and charcuterie trays. This Dutch cheese has a creamy texture and sweet, nutty notes that echo the ham’s subtle sweetness.
Aged gouda provides a nice balance of sharpness and smoothness to offset the saltiness of the ham. Smoked gouda is also a natural match, since it mimics the smoky flavor of the cured meat
For an over-the-top sandwich, layer Black Forest ham with gouda cheese and stoneground mustard on rye or pumpernickel bread. You could also try baking gouda and ham together in a tartine.
Havarti
Havarti is a buttery, semi-soft cheese from Denmark that pairs deliciously with Black Forest ham. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a mild, tangy flavor.
The buttery notes in Havarti complement the rich smoky qualities of the ham. Meanwhile, the tang cuts through the saltiness nicely.
I’d recommend a Havarti that contains dill or other herbs and spices. This adds more depth of flavor to stand up to the bold ham. Havarti with dill and Black Forest ham on crusty bread is a winning combo!
Cheddar
For a more pronounced cheese flavor, aged cheddar is the way to go with Black Forest ham. The sharpness of the extra mature cheddar plays off the ham’s saltiness and smokiness.
Go for cheddars aged 1 year or longer – these will have a concentrated, complex flavor that can hold its own against the ham. English and Irish cheddars are ideal picks
Cut chunks of aged cheddar and slices of Black Forest ham to enjoy together with crackers for an easy appetizer. For breakfast, make a ham and cheddar omelet or stratta.
Muenster
Muenster is a soft, smooth cheese with a subtle tang and mild milky flavor. It melts beautifully, making it a great choice for hot ham and cheese sandwiches.
The creaminess of Muenster complements the rich taste of Black Forest ham. Yet it’s mild enough not to overwhelm the smoky flavor of the meat.
Some nice additions to Muenster and Black Forest ham sandwiches are honey mustard, lettuce, and tomato. Grill the sandwich until the cheese is melted for maximum deliciousness.
Provolone
Provolone, especially aged provolone, has a sharp taste that stands up to Black Forest ham’s assertive smoky flavor. Yet it also has a creamy, smooth texture when melted.
For paninis, layer provolone with Black Forest ham, spinach, and a smear of mustard on crusty Italian bread. Grill until the cheese is melted and bubbly for an amazing hot sandwich.
You could also bake provolone and ham together in a puff pastry pocket or stuffed bread for an impressive appetizer.
Final Thoughts
Black Forest ham has a unique flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with cheeses of all kinds. Swiss, gouda, cheddar, Muenster, Havarti, provolone – you can’t go wrong!
When creating a cheese plate, provide contrast by including different textures and levels of sharpness. Melty, creamy cheeses complement Black Forest ham’s richness, while aged, hard cheeses offer a pleasant contrast.
Comments
James: My go-to pairing with Black Forest ham is definitely Swiss cheese. The nuttiness complements the smoky ham so well. I love making sandwiches with the two on rye bread with spicy mustard. Delicious!
Amy: For me, it’s all about the Havarti! I prefer an herb and spice Havarti, which adds another layer of flavor to stand up to the bold ham. The creamy texture paired with the smokiness is just perfection.
Chris: I like to use aged cheddar at least 1 year old with Black Forest ham. The sharpness contrasts beautifully with the rich, salty ham. They make such an amazing charcuterie combination.
Lauren: My favorite is provolone, especially a nice aged provolone. The sharpness matches the intensity of the ham’s smoky flavor. Melted together on a panini or in a baked dish, you can’t go wrong!
Mark: I’d recommend gouda, particularly smoked gouda. The subtle smoky flavor and nutty sweetness mirror the ham perfectly. They’re so tasty together in a grilled sandwich or on a cheese platter.
Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe
- Quick and simple to make. These are quick and easy to make, just like most pinwheel recipes. You don’t need to know much about food prep to put these together in about 10 minutes.
- Layered with delicious flavors. With this recipe, I wanted to add more flavors, and I think I’ve done that. Everything works wonderfully together to create a really delicious bite.
- Can be made in advance. You can make this pinwheel recipe ahead of time, but not all of them can. In fact, I ate these for lunch the next two days after making them, and they were just as good!
- Perfect for any season or celebration. I love recipes that are based on the season, but I also love recipes that can be used for any event. These black forest ham pinwheels are great any time of the year.
Ready to make these black forest ham pinwheels? Here’s what you’ll need:
- cream cheese—pinwheels have always been made with cream cheese. It makes the taste tangy and creamy and helps keep everything together.
- fresh dill—This recipe’s fresh dill is great. So, I did more than just mix it into the cream cheese. I sprinkled some more on top before rolling the pinwheels up. So good! .
- lemon juice—The lemon juice makes this recipe taste a little more fresh.
- garam masala – Adding a little garlic powder to the mix makes the cream cheese come to life.
- dill mustard – Once more, I really wanted to make this taste better. Plus, mustard goes well with ham.
- honey—A small amount of honey makes everything taste just right.
- chopped dried cherries—The ham and cheese go really well with the chopped dried cherries.
- I like adding green onions to pinwheel recipes because they make them look more fresh and green. Green onions are a great choice here.
- flour tortillas – You can use whatever flavor you’d like. You can see that I used both plain flour and spinach tortillas.
- deli black forest ham—Freshly sliced is best, but I’ve also used deli ham that comes in a package and it works just as well.
- swiss cheese – Thinly sliced is recommended here. It rolls up better that way, but the regular thickness will do.
I’ll walk you through the steps for making these black forest ham pinwheels here. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Mix the dill, lemon juice, garlic powder, and Dijon mustard with the cream cheese in a bowl.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the tortillas. Drizzle lightly with honey. Sprinkle with dried cherries and chopped green onion. Sprinkle a little extra fresh dill on top if you have any left over. ) .
- First put down one layer of black forest ham. Then put down one layer of Swiss cheese.
- Roll up tightly. Put on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and put in the fridge for at least an hour.
- After it’s been chilled, cut it up and put the pieces on a platter to serve.
Serve and enjoy! You are going to love these!
How do I keep my pinwheels from getting soggy?
To prevent sogginess, ensure your fillings, especially the cream cheese, are not too wet. Also, don’t overdo the honey or lemon juice. Chilling the pinwheels before serving also helps keep everything firm.
The Best Grilled Ham and Cheese Ever | SAM THE COOKING GUY
FAQ
Which cheese goes best with ham?
How do you eat Black Forest ham?
Do ham and gouda go together?
Is ham and cheese a good combo?
What goes well with Black Forest ham?
Cheese and Black Forest ham are a classic pairing that is often enjoyed as an appetizer or main course. There are many reasons to consider pairing cheese with Black Forest ham: First of all, cheese is a great condiment for both savory and sweet dishes. Second, cheese can take the edge off of the strong flavor of Black Forest ham.
What is the healthy substitute of cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese itself is a healthy option to include in daily diet as it is made of milk and rich in protein and calcium. If one has to substitute cottage cheese for various reasons then tofu is one such option which can be used and has good protein content too. Or mozzarella cheese or other types of low fat cheese options can be used to certain extent as a substitute.
Can you put Swiss cheese on Black Forest ham?
When pairing Swiss cheese and black forest ham together in cooking, you want to use the cheese as much as possible. For example, if you’re making a salad, include chunks of Swiss cheese on top. If you’re making a sandwich, make sure to add slices of Swiss cheese on both the bread and the ham.
Is Ricotta a good cheese for Black Forest ham?
If you’re a fan of black forest ham, then ricotta is a cheese that you should definitely try. Ricotta is a creamy and mild cheese that pairs perfectly with the salty and fatty ham. It has a thick and creamy texture which means that it will easily coat your taste buds and satisfy your hunger.