Oh, this Ham and Cheese Ring Bread! It’s one of those recipes that just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, you know? I remember the first time I made it, it was for a lazy Sunday brunch, and honestly, it stole the show. It’s not just a breakfast thing, though. I’ve made it for potlucks, as an after-school snack for the kids, and even just as a cozy treat on a rainy day. The smell alone is enough to make your mouth water! It’s got that perfect balance of savory ham, melty cheese, and soft, slightly sweet bread all baked into this beautiful, shareable ring. Trust me, once you try this Ham and Cheese Ring Bread, it’ll become a go-to in your kitchen too!
Why You’ll Love This Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
- Super easy to make, even for beginners!
- The perfect combination of savory ham and gooey cheese.
- Versatile – great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or snacks.
- Looks impressive but takes minimal effort.
- The aroma while it bakes is just heavenly!
Essential Ingredients for Your Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need for this amazing Ham and Cheese Ring Bread. First up, you need 2 cups of all-purpose flour. That’s your base right there. Then, for the rise, we’ve got 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar – the yeast just needs a little food to get happy. Don’t forget 1/2 teaspoon of salt to balance everything out. For the liquid, grab 3/4 cup of warm milk; it’s the perfect temperature to wake up that yeast. You’ll also need 2 tablespoons of butter, melted, to make the dough nice and tender. For the star filling, we’re using 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of diced cooked ham. And finally, for that beautiful golden-brown finish, you’ll need 1 egg, beaten, for an egg wash.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
Now, about those ingredients! The cheese is pretty flexible. While I adore cheddar for its meltiness, feel free to swap it out for Gruyere or Swiss cheese. They add a lovely nutty depth! If you want to kick up the flavor a notch, I always add a tiny pinch of black pepper to the ham and cheese filling – it really makes everything pop. And if you’re out of active dry yeast, instant yeast can often work, just check the package directions. For the ham, any cooked ham works, but a good quality deli ham gives the best flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
Okay, let’s get this bread made! It’s really not as complicated as it might sound, and the results are SO worth it. Just follow along with me, and we’ll have a gorgeous, cheesy, ham-filled ring before you know it.
Preparing the Dough for Your Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
First things first, let’s wake up that yeast! Grab a small bowl, pour in your warm milk – not hot, just nicely warm, like a baby’s bath – and stir in the yeast and sugar. Give it a little swirl and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll see it get foamy and bubbly on top, which is exactly what you want; it means your yeast is alive and ready to party! While that’s happening, in a big bowl, whisk together your flour and salt. Once the yeast mixture is foamy, pour it into the bowl with the flour, along with that melted butter. Mix it all up until it starts to come together into a shaggy dough. Now, tip it out onto a lightly floured surface and get ready to knead! Spend about 5 to 7 minutes working that dough, pushing, folding, and turning it until it’s smooth and elastic. Pop it into a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and find a warm spot for it to chill and rise for about an hour, or until it’s doubled in size. It’s like magic happening in a bowl!
Assembling and Shaping the Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
Once your dough has had its nice, long nap and doubled in size, give it a gentle punch down to release the air. Then, turn it out onto that floured surface again and roll it into a nice rectangle. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even; it’s rustic and homemade! Now for the fun part: sprinkle your shredded cheddar cheese and diced ham all over that rectangle, making sure to leave a little border along the edges so the filling doesn’t all ooze out. Starting from one of the long sides, roll up that dough nice and tightly, like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam really well to seal it shut – this is important so your yummy filling stays inside. Then, carefully form that long roll into a ring shape, overlap the ends, and pinch them together firmly to seal the ring. You can even tuck the ends under a bit. Place your beautiful ring onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Give it another little cover-up and let it rest and rise for about 30 minutes. It’ll puff up a bit more, getting ready for its big bake!
Baking Your Delicious Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
While your ring is having its second little rise, go ahead and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature to get that lovely golden crust. Once the oven is ready and your ring has had its final rest, it’s time for the egg wash. Just brush that beaten egg all over the top of the dough. This gives it that gorgeous, shiny, golden-brown finish that just screams delicious! Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on it – you’re looking for a deep golden brown color all over. Once it’s done, carefully take it out and let it cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. It smells amazing, doesn’t it?
Tips for Baking the Best Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
Making this Ham and Cheese Ring Bread perfect every time is all about a few little tricks I’ve picked up. Don’t stress if your dough isn’t perfectly shaped or if it doesn’t rise exactly as planned; it’s still going to taste amazing. The key is really in the details that make it extra special, and I’m happy to share those with you!
Achieving the Perfect Golden-Brown Finish
That beautiful golden-brown color is mostly thanks to the egg wash. Make sure you brush it on evenly all over the top of the ring before it goes into the oven. Don’t skip it! The 375°F (190°C) temperature is pretty spot on for getting that lovely crust without burning, so keep an eye on it towards the end.
Enhancing the Flavor of Your Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
Want to jazz it up? A little pinch of black pepper mixed with the ham and cheese is my secret weapon for an extra flavor kick. You can also try adding a tablespoon of chopped chives or a bit of garlic powder to the filling. And remember, Gruyere or Swiss cheese are fantastic swaps for cheddar if you want a different vibe!
Serving and Storing Your Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
This Ham and Cheese Ring Bread is best served warm, right after it’s cooled just enough so you don’t burn your mouth on that gooey cheese! It’s perfect on its own, but I also love it with a little smear of butter. It makes a fantastic centerpiece for breakfast or brunch, or even a hearty snack any time of day. It’s sturdy enough to hold its shape when you slice it, so you get that perfect ratio of bread to filling in every piece. Enjoy it fresh!
Storing Leftover Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped well for up to two days. For longer storage, pop it in the refrigerator. To bring it back to its delicious best, just pop a slice in the toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds until it’s warmed through and the cheese is melty again. Don’t forget to cover it when storing to keep it from drying out!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
Got questions about this delicious Ham and Cheese Ring Bread? I’ve got answers! It’s always good to know the little things that make a recipe shine, and this one has a few quirks that are easy to handle.
Can I use different types of cheese in my Ham and Cheese Ring Bread?
Absolutely! While cheddar is my go-to for its classic flavor and amazing melt, don’t feel limited. Gruyere is fantastic for a richer, nuttier taste, and Swiss cheese melts beautifully and adds a subtle sweetness. You could even try a mix of cheeses! Just make sure they shred well and melt nicely so you get that lovely gooey center in your ring bread. About a cup of shredded cheese is usually perfect.
What is the best way to reheat Ham and Cheese Ring Bread?
If you have any leftover slices, the best way to reheat them is in a toaster oven or a regular oven at around 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This helps keep the bread from getting soggy and warms the cheese up perfectly. If you’re in a real pinch, a quick zap in the microwave works too, but it might make the bread a little chewier. Just a few seconds until it’s warm and gooey is all you need!
Nutritional Estimate for Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
Just a heads-up, these numbers are just an estimate based on the ingredients I used, okay? Everyone’s cooking can be a little different! For one slice of this yummy Ham and Cheese Ring Bread, you’re looking at roughly 250 calories. It’s got about 10g of fat, 12g of protein, and around 30g of carbohydrates. It’s a pretty satisfying slice that works great for breakfast or a snack!
Print
Amazing Ham and Cheese Ring Bread
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A savory ring bread filled with ham and cheese, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced cooked ham
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm milk. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and melted butter to the flour mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle on a floured surface.
- Sprinkle the cheese and diced ham evenly over the dough.
- Roll up the dough tightly from the long side.
- Pinch the seam to seal. Form the roll into a ring, pressing the ends together.
- Place the ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the top of the ring with the beaten egg.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute Gruyere or Swiss cheese for cheddar.
- Add a pinch of black pepper to the filling for extra flavor.
- For a softer crust, you can brush the bread with melted butter after baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: ham cheese bread ring recipe savory breakfast snack baked dough