Ham Cream Cheese Pickle Pinwheels (Printable Version)

Smoky ham, creamy cheese, tangy pickles rolled and sliced for a savory bite. Easy, gluten-free, ready fast.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main

01 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
02 - 8 large slices deli ham (about 8 ounces)
03 - 6 large dill pickles, whole

→ Flavor Enhancers (optional)

04 - 1 teaspoon fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine softened cream cheese, dill, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
02 - Pat each dill pickle dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - Lay a slice of ham flat on a clean cutting board. Use a spoon or spatula to spread a thin and even layer of the cream cheese mixture over the ham slice.
04 - Place a whole dill pickle at one end of the ham slice. Roll the ham tightly around the pickle and cream cheese to form a log.
05 - Repeat spreading, rolling, and assembling with the remaining ham slices, cream cheese, and pickles.
06 - Using a sharp knife, slice each roll crosswise into 1/2-inch thick pinwheels.
07 - Arrange pinwheels on a serving platter. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • This recipe comes together in almost no time, and you can toss it together even when unexpected guests arrive.
  • The contrast between creamy cheese, crisp pickle, and savory ham is satisfyingly addictive—these little rolls always disappear quickly.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the pickles, the pinwheels can fall apart and turn soggy—paper towels are your best friend here.
  • Using sturdy slices of ham instead of flimsy ones was a game-changer; the pinwheels stayed intact and looked much prettier on the platter.
03 -
  • Warming the cream cheese for a few minutes makes spreading effortless and keeps every swirl neat.
  • The tiniest pinch of dill brings a burst of freshness that changes the whole flavor profile—don’t skip it if you can grab some.
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