Pan de Jamón (Venezuelan Christmas Ham Bread)

Come holiday season, Venezuelan kitchens fill with the scent of hallacas, pernil, ensalada de gallina, and pan de jamón. Just as meaningful as the dishes themselves is the act of making them together, and no table feels complete without a slice of this sweet-savory loaf. Early versions of pan de jamón, dating to the beginning of the 20th century in Caracas, were simple yeast breads filled with ham alone; over time, olives, raisins, and bacon were added, creating the sweet-salty balance that now defines Venezuelan Christmas cooking. Most pan de jamón recipes are designed to feed a crowd and yield multiple loaves. This recipe takes a different approach, producing a single, generously sized loaf; ideal for smaller celebrations or for serving alongside other holiday dishes. 

The dough is enriched with milk, butter, and sugar, but remains sturdy enough to hold its shape once filled and rolled. Hydration matters here. Too much liquid can weaken the dough and cause it to spread, while too much flour leads to a loaf that bakes up dense and heavy. I landed at 55% hydration, with moisture coming from a combination of water, milk, and one egg. Bread flour provides the structure needed to support the weight of all the holiday fillings, without compromising tenderness.

Although instant yeast can be mixed directly into dry ingredients, dissolving it first in warm water with a little sugar helps jump-start fermentation; particularly useful in enriched doughs, where fat and sugar naturally slow yeast activity. A short rest after the flour and liquids are combined allows the dough to fully hydrate and begin forming gluten before the butter, sugar, and salt are worked in. This small step improves strength with minimal mixing and results in a dough that’s smooth, supple, and easy to roll. Don’t be surprised at how shaggy the dough looks at this point. 

The first rise is intentionally flexible. The dough can be left at room temperature for as two hours, or refrigerated overnight to improve handling and allow for a slower rise. Either option fits easily into holiday cooking. 

The filling stays close to the classic formula: thinly sliced smoked ham for depth and meatiness, bacon for fat and smoke, olives for a briny pop, and raisins for sweetness. The raisins add more than just sweetness, though. As the bread bakes, they plump and absorb some of the juices released by the ham, bacon, and olives, helping keep the crumb cohesive rather than soggy. 

The loaf’s distinctive slitted edge is both decorative and functional. Cutting narrow strips along one side of the dough and folding them over the rolled loaf creates a flexible seam that can expand as the bread proofs and bakes. Instead of forcing the dough to stretch against a tight seal—often the cause of blowouts in heavily filled breads—the overlapping strips act like built-in expansion joints, accommodating oven spring while keeping the filling neatly enclosed. Before baking, poking the loaf all over with a fork creates small vents that allow steam to escape, further preventing ruptures and helping the bread rise evenly in the oven. The result is a loaf that holds its shape, slices cleanly, and looks unmistakably like pan de jamón. 

Served warm or at room temperature, pan de jamón is equally at home sliced alongside a holiday spread or enjoyed on its own, one spiral at a time. It’s bread meant to be shared, sliced thick or thin, and revisited throughout the day; proof that even a single loaf can carry the flavors and traditions of Billo Caracas Boys songs and Venezuelan Christmas.