#BrunchWeek: Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread

May 6, 2015

Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread for #BrunchWeek | Sarcastic Cooking

Here we are, day three of brunch week. Is it just me or is this week dragging? Well, at least we can all plan our Mother’s Day brunches while gawking at good recipes from all these brunching bloggers. PS You won’t believe how many times I forget the l in blogger. Thank God for spell check.

Ham. Let’s talk about it. When I was younger, in my mind, the best holiday meat was always the turkey. Now, as I get older, I realize that turkey gets really dry and, no offense to all the turkey lovers, it can be kind of lacking in the flavor dept. I totally feel this way about chicken breast sometimes too. I know how to dress up a fowl, but still nothing beats a good ol’ juicy ham.

I blame my mom and the fact that as I age I am surely turning into her. But I guess the lady knows what is good, rye bread and a slice of ham. Can’t go wrong!

Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread #BrunchWeek

Yeah, Easter, the ham holiday in my family, has come and gone, but there is still deli meat. I don’t know about you but I can only eat so many deli sandwiches before those left over slices get forgotten and then thrown out while I gasp at the fact I let that sit in my deli drawer in the fridge that long past it’s expiration date. The struggle is real people.

Somebody commented on Facebook that they are always looking for uses for leftover deli meat. I was glad somebody gets my issue. This recipe requires six things:

Pastry Dough

Ham (duh)

Cheddar Cheese

Spicy Whole Grain Mustard

Egg White

Black Pepper

That is it! You defrost your pastry dough. Plop your filling inside. Do this fancy but super easy braid thing. Pop it in the oven. End of story. Your guests, or your husband who you split the whole thing with in barely two days, will be in awe of the beauty of this specimen. Truly!

Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread

I will tell you that when Mike ate the last fourth of this bread without telling me or leaving me any, I was very sad. Maybe a little hangry because now I had to scramble for lunch. Next time, maybe I will make two… That might not be healthy. Maybe I will just stash a few pieces before he gets to them.

Since it is still Brunch Week, be sure to give some love to my fellow participating bloggers.
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Mixed Berry Yogurt Smoothie from Taste Cook Sip.
Tequila Sunrise from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Sparkling Pineapple Mojitos from girlichef.

BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Baked Eggs over Maple Roasted Vegetables from Big Bear’s Wife.
Bacon and Egg Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Making Miracles.

BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
60 Minute Cinnamon Rolls from Love and Confections.
Chocolate and Walnut Challah from The Little Ferraro Kitchen.
Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking.
Pear Oatmeal Crème Brûlée from The Spiffy Cookie.
Tattie Scones with Cheddar and Chives from The Redhead Baker.
Chocolate Chip Flaxseed Waffles from Hip Foodie Mom.
Chile Relleno Quiche from Cooking in Stilettos.
Double Chocolate Sweet Rolls from It Bakes Me Happy.
Sour Cream Streusel Coffee Cake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola from Baking a Moment.

BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Harissa Chorizo Hash from greens & chocolate.
Smoked Salmon Canapes with Whipped Chive Cream Cheese from The Suburban Soapbox.

BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Kinpura Gobo from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Tropical Fruit Salad with Vanilla and Lime from Healthy Delicious.
Beet and Heirloom Carrot Rosti with Creme Fraiche and Caviar from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
Carrot Salad from My Catholic Kitchen.
Italian Carrot Salad from {i love} my disorganized life.

BrunchWeek Desserts:
Nutty Banana Bread from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Gluten-Free Pear and Walnut Crumble from It’s Yummi.

Also be sure to enter the GIVEAWAY! I mean that’s what this is all about, right?!?!?

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own.

Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread

Stunningly beautiful braided pastry dough with a filling of ham and cheddar. Your friends will be fooled by how easy this recipe is to make!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 Slices

Ingredients

  • 1 Box 14 Ounces, Frozen Puff Pastry (Dufour brand), thawed
  • 1 Tablespoon Spicy Whole Grain Mustard
  • 5 Ounces Cabot Alpine Cheddar Cheese shredded
  • 5 Ounces Sliced Ham
  • 1 Egg White beaten
  • Pinch of Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper. Lightly flour the paper and a rolling pin. Unfold pastry dough and place on parchment. Roll the dough out to 10-by-15-inch rectangle.
  3. Use a sharp serrated knife to cut off the top corners of the rectangle at a 45-degree angle. Leave about four inches between them.
  4. Next, cut out two triangle notches at the bottom of the dough, leaving four inches between. The whole piece of dough should look like a stumpy Christmas tree.
  5. Finally make 8 cuts about one inch wide, 45-degree angle slices along the sides of the dough. Leave a long strip on dough in the middle.
  6. Transfer the parchment and dough to a large baking sheet.
  7. Spread the mustard on the four inch strip. Top with shredded cheddar and then ham.
  8. Fold the little rectangle at the bottom over the ham. Next take the left side and fold it over the ham followed by the right side. Work your way down, left then right, until the flaps are all folded over the ham.
  9. Lightly brush the top and sides with egg white wash and then top with black pepper.
  10. Bake the bread in the oven for 35 minutes until deeply golden. Let the bread sit for a few minutes before slicing.

Shout out to Molly from Dunk & Crumble for another amazing recipe from Sheet Pan Suppers.
.

You Might Also Like

  • What to make with leftover ham and eggs?
    March 28, 2016 at 7:16 am

    […] Braided Ham & Cheddar Bread […]

  • Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    May 14, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    I sort of kind of have an obsession of pastry + lunch meat + cheese so this is completely up my alley!

  • Susan
    May 7, 2015 at 9:02 am

    Ooh this bread, this is the way to do deli ham! I love it when it gets all crispy like that too.

  • Smoked Salmon Canapes with Whipped Chive Cream Cheese #BrunchWeek - The Suburban Soapbox
    May 7, 2015 at 8:32 am

    […] Rolls from Love and Confections. Chocolate and Walnut Challah from The Little Ferraro Kitchen. Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking. Pear Oatmeal Crème Brûlée from The Spiffy Cookie. Tattie Scones with […]

  • Heather - Butter & Burlap
    May 7, 2015 at 8:30 am

    This is my first time to your site – WOW! Super impressed with your recipes and photos! I love ham. And Cheese. So this recipe is right up my ally, and perfect for a Mother’s day brunch! (Or maybe I’m really making it for me, but saying it’s for mom ;). Great recipe! Glad I stopped by!

  • Samantha @FerraroKitchen
    May 6, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Yes now this is my kinda breakfast! So making this!

  • Harissa Chorizo Sweet Potato Hash #BrunchWeek - greens & chocolate
    May 6, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    […] Rolls from Love and Confections. Chocolate and Walnut Challah from The Little Ferraro Kitchen. Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking. Pear Oatmeal Crème Brûlée from The Spiffy Cookie. Tattie Scones with […]

  • Emily
    May 6, 2015 at 2:10 pm

    I am loving this tasty braid, I could go for a slice right now 🙂

  • Tattie Scones with Cheddar and Chives by The Redhead Baker
    May 6, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    […] Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking. […]

  • Liz
    May 6, 2015 at 9:53 am

    I love making (and eating!) braided breads! Yours looks scrumptious with the classic ham and cheese filling!!!

  • Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm
    May 6, 2015 at 9:44 am

    The perfect recipe, easy, beautiful and delicious. Thanks for sharing.

  • Chile Relleno Quiche #BrunchWeek - Cooking In Stilettos™
    May 6, 2015 at 9:25 am

    […] Rolls from Love and Confections. Chocolate and Walnut Challah from The Little Ferraro Kitchen. Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking. Pear Oatmeal Crème Brûlée from The Spiffy Cookie. Tattie Scones with […]

  • Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
    May 6, 2015 at 8:50 am

    This is so pretty! I have never made a braid but they always looks so great.

  • Pear Oatmeal Creme Brulee | The Spiffy Cookie
    May 6, 2015 at 8:28 am

    […] Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking. […]

  • Gluten-Free Pear-Walnut Crumble ~ itsyummi.com
    May 6, 2015 at 8:13 am

    […] Rolls from Love and Confections. Chocolate and Walnut Challah from The Little Ferraro Kitchen. Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking. Pear Oatmeal Crème Brûlée from The Spiffy Cookie. Tattie Scones with […]

  • Chocolate Chip Flaxseed Waffles #BrunchWeek - Hip Foodie Mom
    May 6, 2015 at 7:37 am

    […] Rolls from Love and Confections. Chocolate and Walnut Challah from The Little Ferraro Kitchen. Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking. Pear Oatmeal Crème Brûlée from The Spiffy Cookie. Tattie Scones with […]

  • Julie
    May 6, 2015 at 7:30 am

    Yes! This week is lasting forever! I blame it on Cinco de Mayo. I was so tired of looking at enchiladas in my newsfeed. Thank goodness we’ve moved on to brunch. I’ll take two of these. And then I’ll waddle even more than i already do. Oh well.

  • Mixed Berry Yogurt Smoothie #BrunchWeek - Taste Cook Sip
    May 6, 2015 at 7:24 am

    […] Rolls from Love and Confections. Chocolate and Walnut Challah from The Little Ferraro Kitchen. Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking. Pear Oatmeal Crème Brûlée from The Spiffy Cookie. Tattie Scones with […]