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Test Kitchen Approved

Ham & Cheese Pockets

Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

About

Ham & Cheese Pockets are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that's perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a savory snack. No freezers needed here! A soft, homemade dough (that anyone can make) is filled with layers of melted cheddar cheese and savory slices of ham, creating a gooey, satisfying filling. Once baked to golden perfection, these pockets are topped with a sprinkle of parmesan for added nuttiness and cheesiness. Ham & Cheese Pockets, served fresh and warm, tend to disappear off the plate in no time!

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Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2/3 cup water, lukewarm
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more, to taste, for the dough and for dusting the work surface
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 whole eggs, plus 1 egg, beaten, divided
  • neutral-flavored oil, to taste, for greasing the bowl
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 slices ham, sliced medium thick
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley, optional

Directions

Step 1 -In a small bowl, add the yeast, the sugar, and the lukewarm water and stir to combine.

Step 2 -Allow the yeast mixture to sit until it begins to bubbles, about 10 minutes.

Step 3 -In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 3 cups of the flour, the salt, the melted butter, 2 of the whole eggs, and the yeast mixture and mix on medium speed, while scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed, until a soft dough forms, about 5 minutes. The dough should not be sticky; it should come clean away from the sides of the bowl. If it is too sticky, add the extra flour, a little at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides.

Step 4 -Using the oil, coat a bowl large enough to hold the dough.

Step 5 -Add the dough to the greased bowl, turning it once or twice to coat.

Step 6 -Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough sit in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Step 7 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 8 -Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 9 -Using the extra flour, dust a work surface.

Step 10 -Roll the dough out on the prepared work surface until it is a 14x18-inch rectangle and about 1/4-inch-thick.

Step 11 -On one half of the dough rectangle, sprinkle the cheddar cheese.

Step 12 -Lay the ham slices evenly over the cheese layer on the dough rectangle.

Step 13 -Fold the empty side of the dough rectangle over the filling, slightly pinching the edges together.

Step 14 -Cut the dough rectangle into 8 equal portions.

Step 15 -Place the dough pieces on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 16 -Brush the tops of the dough pieces with the remaining beaten egg.

Step 17 -Sprinkle each of the dough pieces evenly with the parmesan cheese and the parsley.

Step 18 -Allow the dough pieces to rest and rise for about 30 minutes.

Step 19 -Bake until the dough pieces are golden-brown, about 20-25 minutes.

Step 20 -Serve warm.

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