This recipe yields savory and slightly spicy Cream Cheese, Turkey Ham, and Jalapeño Filled Bread Rolls, perfect as a flavorful snack, light lunch, or appetizer. These rolls feature a soft and slightly sweet bread dough that is rolled out, filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, savory turkey ham, and zesty jalapeño slices, then baked until golden brown. The combination of the creamy filling with the subtle heat from the jalapeños and the savory ham, all encased in a tender bread, creates a delightful and satisfying bite. The bread dough is typically enriched with ingredients like milk, butter, and a touch of sugar to give it a soft texture and a slightly sweet undertone that complements the savory filling. Yeast provides the necessary rise, resulting in a light and airy crumb. 1 The filling is a simple yet flavorful mixture of cream cheese, which provides a smooth and tangy base, thinly sliced turkey ham for a savory protein element, and slices of jalapeño peppers for a kick of heat. The jalapeños can be fresh or pickled, depending on the desired level of spiciness. The assembly involves rolling out portions of the risen dough into rectangular shapes, spreading the cream cheese mixture, layering the turkey ham and jalapeño slices, and then rolling the dough up to enclose the filling. The rolls are often brushed with an egg wash before baking to achieve a golden-brown and slightly glossy crust. Sesame seeds are sometimes sprinkled on top for added texture and visual appeal. Baked until golden and puffed, these filled bread rolls offer a delicious balance of creamy, savory, and spicy flavors, making them a unique and enjoyable treat. The image shows a baking sheet filled with numerous golden-brown bread rolls. Each roll appears to be filled with a creamy white substance (likely cream cheese), slices of pink meat (possibly turkey ham), and slices of green pepper (most likely jalapeño). The tops of the rolls are sprinkled with sesame seeds. The overall appearance suggests a savory and slightly spicy filled bread roll.
The texture of Cream Cheese, Turkey Ham, and Jalapeño Filled Bread Rolls is characterized by a soft and slightly chewy bread exterior giving way to a creamy and smooth cream cheese filling, interspersed with the tender bite of turkey ham and the slightly crisp texture of the jalapeño slices.
The flavor profile is a delightful combination of the mild tanginess of cream cheese, the savory and slightly salty taste of turkey ham, and the zesty heat from the jalapeño peppers, all balanced by the subtly sweet and yeasty flavor of the baked bread.
Cream Cheese, Turkey Ham, and Jalapeño Filled Bread Rolls are a flavorful and satisfying snack or light meal, offering a unique blend of creamy, savory, and spicy elements.
The preparation involves making a yeast dough, preparing a creamy, savory, and spicy filling, assembling the rolls, and then baking them until golden brown.
Ingredients:
For the Bread Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 3 – 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
For the Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces thinly sliced turkey ham, cut into strips
- 2-3 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced (seeds removed for less heat, optional) or pickled jalapeño slices, drained
- Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or chives
- Optional: Pinch of garlic powder
For Topping:
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or stand mixer with dough hook
- Clean kitchen towel
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional, for lining)
- Pastry brush
Instructions:
- Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, pour the warm milk. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir in the sugar, salt, egg, and melted butter into the yeast mixture.
- Add Flour and Form Dough: Gradually add the flour, starting with 3 cups, and mix with a wooden spoon or the dough hook of a stand mixer until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add the remaining flour a little at a time until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 6-8 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Stir in the chopped cilantro or chives and garlic powder (if using).
- Assemble the Rolls: Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12-16 equal portions.
- Shape the Rolls: Take one portion of dough and roll it out into a small rectangle, about 4×6 inches. Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture over the rectangle, leaving a small border along one of the long edges. Layer a few strips of turkey ham and a few slices of jalapeño over the cream cheese.
- Roll Up the Dough: Starting from the long edge opposite the border, tightly roll up the dough to enclose the filling, pinching the edges and ends to seal. Place the rolled dough seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- Second Rise: Cover the baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel and let the filled rolls rise in a warm place for another 20-30 minutes, or until slightly puffed.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, beat the egg with water to make an egg wash.
- Bake the Rolls: Brush the tops of the risen rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Carefully transfer the baked rolls to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving. They are delicious warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy these flavorful Cream Cheese, Turkey Ham, and Jalapeño Filled Bread Rolls as a tasty snack or light meal! They can be customized with different types of cheese, meats, and peppers to suit your preferences.