Name: Holiday Party Ham Buns {Southern Baked Ham & Cheese Sandwiches}
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 12 Kings Hawaiian Bread Buns (Sweet) ((or other mini soft buns)); 1 pound Ham (thin cut/shaved); 1 pound Swiss Cheese (thinly sliced); 3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise; 1 Tablespoon Light Brown Sugar; 1/4 cup Butter; 1.5 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard; 1.5 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce; 1.5 teaspoons Minced Onions; 2 teaspoons Poppy Seeds

Don’t know what to do with your leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas Ham or Turkey? Make these delicious Holiday Party Ham Buns Southern Baked Ham Cheese Sandwiches.

Holiday Party Ham Buns Southern Baked Ham Cheese Sandwiches

Don’t know what to do with leftover Easter and Holiday ham? How about some Ham or Turkey Buns?

In 2003, I up and left my beautiful house in Tarzana, California. I discovered after moving that all I needed was a vacation, not a total Coast to Coast relocation. It is a decision I regret to this day.

I loved my townhouse so much. It was huge and beautiful and I loved my wrap around balcony. I used to stay out there forever and just look out at the Valley and the beautiful mountain and hills and enjoy living in beautiful Southern California.

This was before the real estate craziness and before investors took advantage of the market and made owning a house a luxury, rather than a necessity. Now, unless you are in the 1%, you can’t touch that area. Ugh, what a mistake.

Cast of Ingredients for Holiday Party Ham Buns {Southern Baked Ham & Cheese Sandwiches}

My travels took me to Charleston, South Carolina and it is a charming and beautiful City. I learned all about “Ham Buns,” and a party gathering was not complete without Ham Buns.

In Miami, where I am originally from, the Cuban Bakeries have Ham Buns, that are similar and equally as delicious. Be on the lookout for that recipe.

Another yummy recipe for leftover Ham Bones and Ham is my Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup.

Slice Buns Horizontally

Carefully, slice the whole bag of Kings Hawaiian Buns in half and place the bottom half in a Pyrex Baking Dish.

Place Bottom Buns in 9×12 Baking Dish

This looks like a plain ole ham and cheese sandwich, but it’s not, just wait! Smear a thin layer of Mayonnaise on the bottom Buns. Divide the Ham among all the Buns. Then divide the Swiss Cheese among all the Buns. Smear another thin layer of Mayonnaise over the inside of the top Buns and then place over the Ham and Cheese.

Wait, there is more. The deliciousness follows and transforms an ordinary Ham and Cheese Sandwich to extraordinary Holiday Party Ham Buns Southern Baked Ham Cheese Sandwiches.

Melt Butter in Medium Saucepan

In a medium saucepan, melt some butter. I like to use my stove, but if you want to nuke it in the microwave, do it slowly, in increments of 10 seconds.

Whisk in the Seasonings

Remove the Saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the Worcestershire, Dijon Mustard, Minced Onions, Poppy Seeds and more. Make sure the Sauce is well combined.

Whisk Sauce until Well Combined

Whisk until all the ingredients are completely combined.

Brush Buns with Sauce

Make sure the buns are tightly together, next to each other, so that there are no gaps. Brush the sauce all over the tops of the buns and let some drip in between the buns.

The Sauce will Soak into the Buns – Delicious!

Doesn’t that look delicious!!!! This will soak into the Buns and be so wonderful.

Cover Pan with Foil

Cover the pan with tin foil and put into the refrigerator overnight. The Holiday Party Ham Buns Southern Baked Ham Cheese Sandwiches taste best if you prepare them the night before you need them. If you can’t wait and want them right away, let them rest at least 30 minutes prior to baking.

I know they are hard to resist. The longer they sit, the more the Sauce seeps into the Buns! Take them out the next day and then pop them in the oven for 15 minutes, covered.

Sprinkle with Brown Sugar

Sprinkle a little Brown Sugar over the top and pop them back into the oven for just a few minutes. Keep an eye on them, as you don’t want the Brown Sugar to burn. The Brown Sugar should just melt in, slightly.

Holiday Party Ham Buns {Southern Baked Ham & Cheese Sandwiches}

Yum! You won’t believe how good these Holiday Party Ham Buns Southern Baked Ham Cheese Sandwiches are; there are no words! Must try NOW! Serve with my Picnic Potato Salad or Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce on the side.

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes!

Here is the handy printable recipe: