Ham Rolls

Meet the Ham Roll.

Like a Cinnamon Roll but with Ham, Cheese and Italian Dressing. My Aunt Nan makes these and I’ve created my own version over time.

 These are only made  once a year.

This year I almost didn’t do it… but on New Years Eve we all decided ’ Paleo-shmaleo: it’s Ham Roll Time!’.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

2 cups Milk

1/2 cup Butter, Melted

1/4 cup Sugar

2 tsp Active Dry Yeast

4 cups All Purpose Flour (or 1/2 Whole Wheat & 1/2 White)

(After the first rise)

3/4 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

3/4 cup Flour (Maybe a little more if its still wet)

Filling:

2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar

10 to 15 Slices of Good Quality Sliced thin Ham

1 cup Italian Dressing

2 tbsp Butter

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Few Sprigs Fresh Rosemary

Instructions

Heat milk, melted butter and sugar until warm (like baby bath temperature, shouldn't burn your wrist at all).

Then, sprinkle on top the active dry yeast.Let it sit for 3 mins. The yeast should bubble, that’s how you know it’s working.

Next, mix in 4cups of flour and cover with a clean cloth. Let rise in a warm place for a couple hours or until doubled in bulk.

Now mix in the baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, and remaining 3/4 cup of flour until well combined and then turn out onto a floured surface.

Roll out the dough into a rectangle, about 1/2 in thick.

Sprinkle the grated cheese on, then evenly distribute the Italian Dressing.

Next, layer the Ham slices over the rectangle of dough.

Starting at the long side, carefully roll the dough into a long tube, just like with a cinnamon roll.

Drizzle the olive oil in the bottom of your pans. I like to use a big cookie sheet, or a couple casserole pans.

Slice in 2 in thick rounds and Place the sliced rolls in the pan - you probably could have figured that out on your own tho 😆

Maybe add a few little chunks of butter in there too. You’re only making these once a year remember… so make ‘em good!

Bake for about 20 - 30 minutes until they are lightly browned on top.

Happy Ham-Roll New Year!