Add yeast to ¼ cup warm water (110 degrees – hotter water will kill yeast.) Let bubble up to activate and soften yeast.
Melt butter in milk--place ½ cup butter (cut into pieces) in 1 cup milk in glass measuring cup; put in microwave for 1 minute.
In a large mixing bowl: Add yeast, sugar beaten eggs, and salt. Stir gently. Add cooled milk/butter. Then add 2½ cups flour and beat well for 5 minutes.
Add the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Place dough in greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise in warm place until double in bulk (about 45 minutes).
Punch dough down after it has doubled in size.
To form rolls
Divide dough into three parts.For each part, roll dough into a circle about 12-inches in diameter. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice dough pizza-style into 12 triangles.
For each individual dough rectangle, place ingredients near large end of triangle:1 teaspoon cream cheese1 small piece cheddar cheese (divide each ounce cheese into 12 pieces)1 small piece ham (divide each ounce ham into 12 pieces)
For each triangle: starting at large edge, gently roll dough. Once you’ve covered the cheeses/ham, pinch down on dough to incase ingredients, then finish rolling croissant-style.
Place seam down on a greased baking sheet or parchment paper. Let rolls rise about 45 minutes or until nearly double in size.
Bake at 400 degrees 9-10 minutes.7. Remove from oven and brush lightly with additional melted butter (optional).Makes 3 dozen medium sized rolls.
Notes
The additional 90 minutes time is for dough to rise (45 min.) and rolls to rise (45 min.) but requires no hands-on prep.