Croissant Conquering: My Journey to the Perfect Ham and Cheese

I don’t know about you, but I’m not really a breakfast in bed kind of person. Give me a few hours in the morning to fully wake up, and then I’m ready to tackle the day’s culinary adventures. And nothing quite hits the spot like a freshly baked, gooey ham and cheese croissant, paired with a steaming cup of coffee.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – making croissants from scratch sounds like a daunting task. But let me tell you, with a little bit of preparation and some store-bought shortcuts, you can have bakery-quality ham and cheese croissants right in your own kitchen. Home Cooking Rocks is here to guide you through the process, so you can impress your family and friends with your croissant-making prowess.

The Art of Assembling Perfection

The key to these ham and cheese croissants is all in the layering. We start by slicing the croissants lengthwise, creating a deep pocket to hold our delicious fillings. Then, it’s time to get creative with the cheese and ham. I like to use a mild, nutty Leerdammer cheese, folded neatly to fit inside the croissant. And for the ham, I recommend going with a good quality, thinly sliced honey-roasted variety – the sweetness pairs beautifully with the cheese.

Once you’ve assembled your croissant sandwiches, it’s time to add the finishing touch. Mix up a quick glaze made with Dijon mustard, honey, and brown sugar, and brush it generously over the top of the croissants. Sprinkle on some poppy seeds for a touch of crunch, and pop them in the oven until the cheese is melted and the glaze is bubbly.

Prepping Ahead for Easy Mornings

One of the best things about these ham and cheese croissants is that you can do a lot of the prep work ahead of time. You can slice and fill the croissants, then store them in an airtight container or on a well-covered tray in the fridge. The glaze can also be made in advance and refrigerated until you’re ready to use it.

When you’re ready to enjoy your croissants, just take the filled croissants out of the fridge, brush them with the glaze, and bake them off. In just 6-7 minutes, you’ll have a warm, gooey, and utterly delicious breakfast that’s sure to impress. As Nicky Corbishley from Kitchen Sanctuary says, these croissants are the perfect “Christmas day/Mother’s day/ weekend treat breakfast” – and I couldn’t agree more.

The Perfect Blend of Flavors

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Isn’t a ham and cheese croissant a pretty standard breakfast item?” And you’re absolutely right. But trust me, these croissants are anything but ordinary. The combination of the buttery, flaky croissant, the melty cheese, the salty-sweet ham, and the sticky-sweet glaze is simply out of this world.

As Joy the Baker so eloquently puts it, these croissants are a “weekend life hack that deserves the hype.” And I have to agree – once you’ve tasted these, you’ll be hooked.

Customizing Your Croissants

Of course, no recipe is one-size-fits-all. If you’re not a fan of Leerdammer cheese, you can easily swap it out for another mild, nutty variety like Emmental or Gruyère. Or if you prefer a stronger flavor, go for some slices of cheddar. And while I’m a big fan of honey-roasted ham, you can use any deli meat that tickles your fancy.

The beauty of these croissants is that they’re endlessly customizable. As The Lemon Apron suggests, you can even freeze the assembled croissants before baking, for a quick and easy breakfast option on even the busiest of mornings.

So what are you waiting for? Grab those store-bought croissants, fill them with your favorite cheese and ham, and let’s get baking! Trust me, these ham and cheese croissants are about to become a new breakfast staple in your household.