Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups: The Ultimate Festive Holiday Appetizer
The holiday season is synonymous with warmth, joy, and delicious food shared among loved ones. When planning your festive gatherings, appetizers often take center stage, setting the tone for the entire meal. These delightful Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups are the quintessential holiday appetizer, offering a perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors, all wrapped in a warm, flaky crescent roll. They are not just an appetizer; they are a festive experience, promising to be a resounding hit at your next get-together!
Why Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups are Perfect for the Holidays
There’s something magical about the appetizer table during the holidays – it’s often where the best conversations happen, where laughter flows freely, and where everyone gathers to sample delightful bites. I’ve always found myself gravitating towards this culinary hub, enjoying an array of finger foods, savory dips, and perhaps a warm cup of cider. Crafting a menu for holiday parties requires a thoughtful balance, ensuring there’s something to please every palate. That’s precisely where these Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups shine; they artfully bridge the gap between salty and sweet, combining rich ham and cheese with the vibrant, tart sweetness of cranberry sauce.
Beyond their irresistible flavor profile, these rollups boast several advantages that make them ideal for busy holiday hosts. They are incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal effort but delivering maximum impact. The ingredients are readily available, and the assembly is straightforward, making it a stress-free addition to your holiday cooking repertoire. Imagine serving these warm, golden-brown bites, fresh from the oven, their savory aroma filling your home – pure holiday bliss!
Crafting the Perfect Rollup: Key Ingredients
The secret to these sensational Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups lies in the harmony of their simple yet high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating a balanced and flavorful bite:
- Flaky Crescent Dough: Starting with a convenient crescent dough roll sheet makes this recipe a breeze. When unrolled and baked, it transforms into a beautifully golden, flaky crust that cradles the delicious filling perfectly. It’s the ideal canvas for our festive flavors.
- Premium Ham: For this recipe, I highly recommend using a high-quality ham. I partnered with Kretschmar Off The Bone Ham, which elevates these rollups to another level. Its savory, rich flavor is a fantastic counterpoint to the sweetness of the cranberry.
- Melted Cheese Medley: The combination of sharp cheddar and creamy mozzarella creates a wonderfully gooey and flavorful center. The cheddar brings a tangy bite, while the mozzarella ensures a smooth, stretchy melt. This duo perfectly complements the ham and cranberry.
- Sweet and Tart Cranberry Sauce: Whether you opt for homemade or a good quality store-bought version, cranberry sauce is the star that brings all the flavors together. Its sweet and tart notes cut through the richness of the ham and cheese, adding that quintessential holiday zest.
Once these warm, savory rollups emerge from the oven, a light garnish makes them even more appealing. I love to sprinkle mine with poppy seeds for a subtle crunch, fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, and another delicate drizzle of cranberry sauce for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
My Partnership with Kretschmar: Quality You Can Trust
I am thrilled to once again collaborate with Kretschmar to bring you these festive Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups just in time for the holiday season. In the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, having easy, delicious, and reliable appetizer recipes is an absolute game-changer. Kretschmar’s commitment to quality ensures that these rollups are not only simple to make but also incredibly tasty.
As you might recall from my previous recipe for Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers, Kretschmar is a brand rooted in tradition and quality. They have been providing premium deli meats and cheeses, especially prominent in areas like Cleveland, Ohio, since 1881. You can find their exceptional products, including their renowned Off The Bone Ham, at your local Marc’s grocery store deli counter. It’s truly inspiring to support local brands that uphold such high standards and have a rich history of serving their community with delicious, reliable products.
The Excellence of Kretschmar Off The Bone Ham
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the star of this recipe: Kretschmar’s delicious Off The Bone Ham. This isn’t just any deli ham; it’s crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a superior taste and texture that truly makes a difference in your dishes. Kretschmar’s ham is notably MSG-free and gluten-free, made with no fillers, and uses only the finest ingredients to produce the highest quality cuts of meat. Each slice is hand-trimmed from the leanest, most tender portions and delicately sliced, capturing that rich, authentic bone-in flavor.
Their deli meats are incredibly versatile, serving as an easy go-to solution for any holiday meal or snack. Opting for quality ingredients like Kretschmar ham can genuinely save you precious time in the kitchen during the busy holiday season, allowing you more moments to enjoy with your family and friends. It’s all about making holiday entertaining feel effortless and enjoyable.
I find Kretschmar Off The Bone Ham so versatile that I often buy a larger package and use it in multiple ways throughout the week. For example, after preparing these delightful rollups, you can easily incorporate the leftover ham into other appetizers, like my Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers, alongside turkey or other deli favorites. Another simple yet elegant option is to roll up slices of the ham and secure them with toothpicks, offering your guests a straightforward and delicious ham option. Providing variety is key to successful entertaining, and Kretschmar ham makes it easy to do so with flair.
Tips for Success and Variations
These rollups are wonderfully forgiving, making them perfect for both seasoned cooks and kitchen novices. To ensure the best results, remember to preheat your oven properly and give the rollups enough space in the baking dish for even cooking and browning. The aim is for that beautiful golden-brown finish and perfectly melted cheese inside.
While the classic Ham Cheese and Cranberry combination is always a winner, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand:
- Cheese Choices: The recipe suggests cheddar and mozzarella, but feel free to explore! Swiss cheese adds a nutty flavor, while sharp provolone can offer a bolder profile. A blend of Gruyere and white cheddar would also be exquisite.
- Cranberry Alternatives: If cranberry isn’t your preference, or you want to try something different, consider using fig jam, apricot preserves, or even a spicy pepper jelly for a sweet and savory kick. The notes section suggests using jelly or jam, which works beautifully.
- Herb Enhancements: Beyond parsley, consider adding a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary to the filling for an aromatic touch that pairs wonderfully with ham.
- Make-Ahead Magic: For effortless entertaining, you can assemble these rollups a few hours in advance, cover them, and refrigerate. Just pull them out and bake when your guests arrive. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
As you begin to plan your upcoming holiday parties, family dinners, and casual get-togethers, keep this incredibly easy and always-popular appetizer in your culinary arsenal. These Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups are consistently a crowd-pleaser, delivering festive flavors and effortless elegance with every bite. They truly embody the spirit of holiday entertaining – delicious, beautiful, and designed to bring smiles to everyone around the table.
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Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups
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Ingredients
- 1 tube crescent dough roll sheet
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce, divided {you can use homemade or store bought}
- 1/2 pound Ham, thinly sliced, I used Kretschmar Off The Bone
- 5 slices cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
- 5 slices mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
- parsley, extra cranberry sauce and poppy seeds to garnish
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
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Roll out your crescent dough on a large cutting board into a large rectangle {you are basically just unrolling the whole dough and instead of pulling the small triangles apart you will leave the sheet of dough in a large rectangle}.
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Use a brush or the back of a spoon to spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce on the dough. Top with the cheese, alternating between cheddar and mozzarella. Top with the ham.
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Begin with the long side of the dough and roll the dough. Close the edges together and put the seam down on the cutting board. Cut the ham rollup into 10 to 12 pieces depending on how large you want the rollups.
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Place the rollups in the baking dish making sure to leave a small amount of space between each so they can rise and get crispy.
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Bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.
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Garnish with extra cranberry sauce, fresh parsley and poppy seeds.
Notes
- Feel free to use whatever cheese you like. I have used swiss and sharp cheddar and like both of those too.
- You can skip the cranberry sauce. Another option is to use jelly or jam instead.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Today’s post is sponsored by Kretschmar. You can learn more at kretschmardeli.com. As always, opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make A Cedar Spoon possible!