Cheese and bacon twists

With their crisp and buttery pastry wrapped around tasty bacon and cheese, these easy twists are perfect warm or cold, whether for lunch with a side salad, as part of a picnic or just as a cheeky afternoon snack.

2 hours prep. time
25–30 minutes cooking time
Serves 12
Salads & light bites, Pies & savoury treats

A tray full of freshly baked cheese and bacon twists — Enjoy these moreish savoury snacks hot or cold | © National Trust/William Shaw

For the dough

600g strong bread flour
50g caster sugar
75g butter
10g dried yeast
400ml warm water
A pinch of salt

For the filling

200g cream cheese
300g Cheddar cheese, grated
300g cooked bacon, roughly chopped

Recipe tips

Add the water gradually – you might not need it all. If you want to make a vegetarian version, swap the bacon for thinly sliced red onion or fresh herbs.

Step 1

Add all the dry dough ingredients to the bowl of a mixer, attach the dough hook and turn on low. Gradually add the warm water, and continue to mix until a soft, smooth dough is formed.

Step 2

Add the margarine and continue to mix. The dough will turn sticky – don't be tempted to add more flour, allow the dough hook to combine everything together until the dough is smooth and soft again.

Step 3

Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and knead into a ball. Once kneaded, place into a floured bowl.

Step 4

Cover and leave to prove until doubled in size.

Step 5

Remove dough from the bowl and place onto a floured work surface. Roll into a rectangle approximately 48cm by 30cm, with the long edge facing you.

Step 6

Spread the cream cheese over the entire surface, followed by the grated Cheddar cheese and the cooked bacon, pressing down the ingredients into the cream cheese so they stick.