Ham And Cheese Kolache Pockets

Total Time: 6 hrs Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 ounce yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (luke warm)
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup butter (divided - 1/2 cup solid, 1/4 cup melted)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 eggs (slightly beaten)
• 6 1/2 cups flour (all purpose)
• 4 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 2 lbs ham slices (about 36 deli style slices)

Recipe

• 1 prepare 1 batch of sylvia's kolache dough (#238688) per directions through step 9. (note that i use my countertop mixer with the dough hook rather than mixing by hand and usually need about 6 1/2 cups of flour vs. the 6 that sylvia calls for).
• 2 divide the dough into 12 equal parts.
• 3 roll into round balls and then one at a time:.
• 4 roll out each dough ball into an oval about 8" x 6".
• 5 layer 3 slices of deli ham and 1/3 cup of shredded cheddar in the middle of the oval.
• 6 bring the long ends up and together on top of the cheese (make sure to wrap it up!). pinch the dough together to seal.
• 7 bring the short ends up and together on top of the 1st layer of dough. pinch the dough together to seal.
• 8 with your hands, roll each dough pocket around to smooth the seams and shape into a 4"x3" pocket (about 1 1/2 inches thick).
• 9 arrange on a greased baking tray.
• 10 brush the tops with melted butter.
• 11 bake 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees until done.
• 12 eat hot (very!) or allow to cool completely and store in the fridge. (note: let the pockets cool before putting them in bags - otherwise the moisture will condense in the plastic bag and make the dough a bit soggy).