Recipe inspiration

About a year ago, we created a ham and cheese bread recipe for the blog called “hyggeboller” (you can find the recipe here). They were inspired by a recipe I found in an old Danish cookbook, called “Vi Bager” by Hanne Flensborg Thomsen. I loved the idea of savory bread rolls, as many of our recipes are for sweet types of bread. It’s always nice to change things up! So, we developed that recipe and have made it many times since then, because honestly, it’s so tasty. If you love a ham and cheese sandwich, then you need to give our hyggeboller or this hyggebrød recipe a try!

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Today’s recipe: Ham and cheese bread

Today’s recipe is the same dough recipe as our hyggeboller, but in loaf form! We love to create both rolls and loaves out of our bread dough recipes, as everyone has different preferences depending on the type of bread. And this ham and cheese bread recipe is exactly what you want in a savory loaf – full of flavor but still soft and fluffy, and delicious eaten on its own or toasted! It’s great as a base for a sandwich but also just as a side to any main dinner dish, like soup or stew.

Slices of bread with ham, cheese, and chives on a cutting board.

What is “hygge”?

You may be wondering, what does “hygge” mean? And what in the world is a “hygge” bread? Well, “hygge” is a Danish term that basically means comfort or coziness. It’s actually impossible to translate because it is more of a feeling that can’t be summed up properly in English. Many experiences can involve “hygge,” because I usually just think of it as that warm feeling you get when spending time with family or friends.

So the reason we call the rolls “hyggeboller” and the loaf “hyggebrød” is because you can bake them for others and inspire that feeling of comfort. In many ways, Danish “hygge” revolves around eating good food and drinking with family and friends, so baking a beautiful loaf of bread perfectly encapsulates the Danish term.

A loaf of bread with ham, cheese and chives on a cutting board.

Ingredients you’ll need for hyggebrød

To make this ham and cheese bread loaf, you’ll need classic bread dough ingredients: yeast, sugar, milk, water, salt, flour, and melted butter. We like to use bread flour because it gives the dough the best structure, but you can easily use all-purpose/plain flour instead. Then, to give more flavor to the loaf, we add some cubed ham, grated cheese, and chopped fresh chives. Here is where you can really play around with flavors if you’re feeling adventurous! Add chopped turkey or salami instead, or you could even do some cooked bacon bits. Use whatever hard cheese you like – we use cheddar – but I bet anything from parmesan to manchego would be amazing. Feel free to add some dried herbs if you don’t have fresh ones, like parsley, basil, or thyme.

Cutting into a loaf of bread on a cutting board.

How to make our ham and cheese bread

Making this bread is a reasonably simple process, and we actually think it’s easier than shaping the dough into rolls. First, combine the dough ingredients and knead for about 8-10 minutes before adding the ham, cheese, and chives. Then, briefly mix. After, let the dough complete its first rise. Keep in mind that if room temperature is colder where you are, the dough may need longer than recommended in the recipe. You can always use the poke test (explained in this blog post of ours) to check if the dough is ready. Then, shape a sandwich loaf following the instructions in the recipe below, and let it rise a second time. Brush the top with a bit of milk and then bake! You will be left with the most delicious slices of savory bread – enjoy!

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