Description
These Fig and Goat Cheese Pinwheels are a delightful appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry filled with creamy goat cheese, sweet fig jam, and aromatic thyme. Enhanced with optional crunchy nuts and a honey drizzle, they offer a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and herbal flavors, baked to golden perfection for an elegant finger food suitable for parties or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed if frozen
Filling
- ½ cup (120g) soft goat cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup fig jam or fig preserves (or 8-10 fresh or dried figs, thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for added sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for added crunch)
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Extra fresh thyme leaves (for garnish)
- Drizzle of honey (for garnish)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry in the refrigerator for several hours or at room temperature for about 30 minutes until pliable but still cool.
- Roll Out Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to remove creases and thin it slightly, aiming for a rectangle approximately 10×12 inches.
- Add the Goat Cheese: Using a spatula, spread an even layer of goat cheese over the puff pastry, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
- Add Fig Layer: Spread fig jam evenly over the goat cheese. If using fresh or dried figs, arrange them in a single layer over the goat cheese instead.
- Add Honey, Thyme, and Nuts: Drizzle honey over the fig layer (optional), sprinkle thyme leaves, and add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch if desired.
- Roll and Slice: Roll the puff pastry tightly from one long side to the other to form a log, then use a sharp knife to slice the log into about 20 evenly sized pinwheels.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Arrange pinwheels on the sheet and brush each with the beaten egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the puff pastry is golden brown and flaky.
- Garnish and Serve: Let pinwheels cool slightly, then garnish with fresh thyme, a drizzle of honey, and freshly cracked black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is cold but pliable before rolling for best results.
- If fresh or dried figs are used instead of jam, slice thinly to ensure even rolling.
- For a vegan alternative, use vegan puff pastry and substitute goat cheese with a plant-based soft cheese.
- Pinwheels can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Adding nuts is optional but adds great texture contrast to the soft filling.
