Ham and Cheese Braided Bread

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Weave Made Media®, and  Hillshire Farm®, but all my opinions are my own. #weavemade #HillshireNaturals http://my-disclosur.es/RgFrEH

You all already know I am a fan of quick and easy. I make plenty of meals with lots of steps involved, but quick and easy are my favorite. When I have 3 kids to take care of the last thing I want to do is spend a ton of time putting together a meal when I can make something easy that they will all love just as much.

Another thing you know I am a fan of is dinner cooked inside of a loaf of braided bread. I've made Spaghetti, Pizza and Cheesy Chicken in a braided loaf of bread and all have been delicious! I've been wanting to make one with Ham and Cheese, because, who doesn't love Ham and Cheese braided bread?



So I headed to Safeway to get my ingredients- Hillshire Farm Naturals Honey Roasted Ham, Provolone Cheese and a frozen loaf of bread.



I know some people might find that frozen loaf of bread intimidating, but I promise, it is not! It actually couldn't be any easier. Put your frozen loaf on a cookie sheet and lay a piece of plastic wrap (sprayed with cooking spray) down loosely over your bread. Now you are going to just let it sit for 6 or so hours, letting it thaw and rise.



Once the bread has risen, you want to lightly flour your rolling pin and roll out the dough. Just make it about as big as your mat or cookie sheet.



Next, start laying on your goodies. I put cheese down first, then a layer of ham.



More Cheese



And more ham



Then one last layer of cheese, then do slits down the side that you will use to braid your bread.



Then braid all those slits you just made, starting with packing the thicker end piece in first and tucking in the thicker piece on the other end last (with the next to last piece over lapping it).



Next, I melt just a tiny bit of butter, one tablespoon or less.



I use a brush and wipe the butter over the loaf of bread.





Then I just sprinkled a little tiny pinch of parsley flakes across the top.



Next, bake on 350° for 30 minutes. The top will barely be brown, but will be nice and toasty!



Let it sit for just a few minutes before cutting and be careful because it is hot, hot, hot!





Ham and provolone go so good together and this was amazingly delicious. The kids especially love this and because it is so easy to make we can make it for lunch of dinner.

Another reason I love it is because I don't feel terrible about feeding it to my kids! Hillshire Farm Naturals lunch meat has no artificial ingredients, is nitrate free, and even gluten free. Being minimally processed is important as I am trying to eliminate having a lot of processed foods in our house.

Get your own and save $0.75 on any ONE (1) Hillshire Farm Naturals® Black Forest Ham or Honey Roasted Ham with the digital coupon available from Just4U. Expires 8/9/15. (While Supplies Last)



Hillshire Farm® is offering a “Love It or We’ll Eat It” Guarantee for those who try their Naturals lunch meat. They will donate a lunch to someone in need if you “Love it” or provide a rebate.

So what are you going to make with your Hillshire Farm Naturals? Maybe this delicious Ham and Cheese braided bread or a yummy Ham sandwich? Comment below and let me know!