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Cheesy goodness inside a brioche bun—Incredibly light and flaky, these ham and cheese pockets feature a slightly sweet dough filled with savory ham and melted swiss cheese. Read through for the full recipe if you’re ready to give your weekend brunch a fun spin.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the ham and cheese brioches
Makes 8
For the buns
- 3 3/4 cups (380g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, lukewarm
- 1 packet active-dry yeast
- 1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup (60g) granulated sugar
- A pinch (5g) salt
For the bechamel sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk
- Salt
- Freshly cracked pepper
- Ground nutmeg (optional)
The filling
- 4 slices ham
- 1/2 cup (60g) grated swiss cheese
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
The brioche:
1. Place the lukewarm milk in a measuring cup, sprinkle with the yeast, and set aside for 5-10 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. With the mixer running, add the milk/yeast mixture. Mix until dough comes together.
3. Add oil progressively, 2 tablespoons at a time. Mixing well after each addition. Continue to mix for 3-5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball and place in a buttered bowl. Cover and allow to rise for 1 hour. Meanwhile, prepare the bechamel sauce.
The bechamel sauce:
1. Melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Add flour and salt; cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes pale golden with slightly nutty aroma.
2. Pour milk in 2 steps, stirring constantly and whisk until smooth. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly along the bottom of the saucepan, until boiling, about 7 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to low. Simmer gently until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. If you still have lumps, use your immersion blender! Set aside.
Baking:
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
1. After 1 hour, punch the dough down over a floured surface and reshape into a smooth ball. Spread to make a large rectangle approx 12 x 16-inch (30 x 40cm).
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
2. Spread bechamel sauce on half the surface, lengthwise. Top with ham slices and sprinkle with grated swiss cheese.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
3. Fold the dough over the filling, sealing the edges by pressing a little bit. Then cut into 8 equal parts.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
4. Transfer the brioches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a wet cloth (make sure the cloth doesn’t make contact with the dough, because it can stick very badly). Let rise for 1 hour more in a warm place.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the buns with milk or a beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown. Remove the loaves from the baking sheet and place on a cooling rack. Serve warm with a green salad, enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
