Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Craving comfort food? Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Rolls combine sweet rolls, sliced ham, cheddar, and seasoned butter for a warm, pull-apart treat.
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking dish (or similar size)
- Sharp serrated knife
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry brush
- Aluminum foil
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 package 12-count Hawaiian sweet rolls (kept intact)
- 12 slices deli ham about 300–350 grams
- 8 –10 slices Swiss cheese or cheddar cheese about 200–250 grams
- ½ cup 115 grams unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds optional but lovely
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley optional for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease your baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Slice the rolls
- Place the entire slab of Hawaiian rolls on a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully slice them in half horizontally, keeping all the rolls connected. You should have one top slab and one bottom slab.
- Place the bottom half into your prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Layer the ham
- Lay the slices of ham evenly over the bottom layer of rolls. I like to fold the ham slightly so it has a little height and texture instead of lying completely flat.
Step 4: Add the cheese
- Layer the cheese over the ham. Make sure you cover all the edges so every bite has that melty goodness. If needed, overlap slices.
Step 5: Add the top layer
- Carefully place the top slab of rolls over the cheese layer, aligning it gently.
Step 6: Prepare the butter mixture
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and poppy seeds. Stir well so everything is evenly combined.
Step 7: Brush generously
- Using a pastry brush, spread the butter mixture all over the tops of the rolls. Let it drip down the sides and into the cracks. This is where so much flavor comes from.
Step 8: Cover and bake
- Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes.
Step 9: Uncover and finish baking
- Remove the foil and bake for another 5–10 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and slightly crisp.
Step 10: Rest and serve
- Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing along the roll lines. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.
- And that’s it. Simple. But extraordinary.