Ultimate Ham Cups

I created this recipe to use leftovers from Thanksgiving for a day-after brunch. It combines the best of the holiday flavors - smoked ham, cranberries, almonds, and smoked mozzarella cheese - into puff pastry shells, to make a really elegant presentation for a buffet, or it could be put into mini muffin pans for an appetizer. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley or paprika if desired.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 23 mins
• Total Time: 38 mins
• Calories: 356 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• salt to taste
• ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper
• ½ cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup diced smoked ham
• 1 teaspoon melted butter, or as needed
• 1 cup diced smoked mozzarella cheese
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, thawed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until fully incorporated. Add milk; bring to a slow boil. Whisk until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add nutmeg, white pepper, cayenne, and salt. Remove from heat and let filling cool slightly. Add ham, mozzarella cheese, cranberries, and almonds.

Step 3

Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Brush lightly with melted butter. Cut into 9 equal squares. Stretch gently to enlarge and place squares, buttered side-down, into muffin cups. Divide filling evenly between the cups.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly.