Ham and Cheese Pastry Puffs

My parents were visiting for the weekend and I wanted them to have something tasty to eat as soon as they arrive. I was browsing one of my new cookbooks and came across this savory breakfast puff. It's a savory, crunchy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. These also win big points in my book because these were super easy to make. Plus, my parents and Dr. Sweetpea downed these suckers in a few minutes flat. These are that good.

Ham and Cheese Pastry Puffs

(Source: Back in the Day Pastry Puffs)

For the spice blend:

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon dried thyme

2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Fine Sea Salt to taste

For the pastries: 

1 (17.3 ounce) package of frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), defrosted

1/2 pound thinly sliced black forest ham

1/2 pound sharp white cheddar cheese, thinly sliced

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

To make the spice blend: Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. 

To make the pastries: Unfold the pastries on a lightly floured surface. Cut each pastry sheet into 4 squares. 

Arrange the sliced ham and cheese on the centers of the pastry squares, dividing them evenly. Sprinkle some of the spice blend over each one. Fold two opposite corners of each square over the filling to make a pouch and press the edges to seal; transfer the pastries to prepared baking sheet. 

Brush each pastry evenly with the egg wash. Sprinkle the tops with more spice blend to taste. Sprinkle salt evenly over the pastries. 

Bake for 12 - 14 minutes, until the pastries are golden brown. Remove the pastries from the baking sheet and let cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.