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A cheese and pickle sandwich is a British classic, the creamy cheese against the sour pickle creates an delicious explosion of flavour! Also known as a ploughman's sandwich, cheese is combined with pickle or chutney, and sometimes lettuce and tomato, between chunky slices of white bread. These fluffy Cheese & Pickle Swirl Bread Rolls are packed with tangy pickle and sharp cheddar cheese. They are so good with soup, for lunch boxes, picnics and also as a cheeky snack!

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Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

Strong bread flour is the best option for bread as it is high in protein which assists in the forming of gluten - a protein that creates the rise in bread, as well as creating the lovely bread texture that we all know and love. You can also make this recipe with regular plain flour, the bread may just rise a little less.
I recommend using a nice sharp cheese for this recipe, a mature cheddar is best.
I used a tangy pickle (similar to Branston's) for the bread rolls. You could also use a sweeter chutney, like a caramelised onion chutney for example.
If you are kneading the dough in your stand mixer, pop it into the bowl of your mixer and set it on a low speed with the dough hook attachment. Leave it to knead for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and supple, and comes away from the side of the bowl.
For more information on bread making, including a guide on how to knead by hand and lots of tips and tricks, check out my White Bread Loaf recipe.
Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50).
For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to make Cheese & Pickle Swirl Bread Rolls

To make the dough, stir together the flour, yeast and salt in your mixing bowl. Then add the water and oil and bring it together into a dough. Knead it for 8-10 minutes in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, or by hand. Leave it to rise for 1 hour in a warm place, or until doubled in size.

Roll the dough out onto a floured surface into a rectangle shape. Spread the pickle out all over the dough, then sprinkle over the cheese and roll the dough up into a sausage shape from the short end.

Trim the ends, then use a very sharp knife to slice it into 1" thick rolls, and arrange them in a lined traybake tin. Cover them and leave them to rise again in a warm place for 30 minutes. Sprinkle over more cheese and bake them for 25-30 minutes until golden all over. Leave to cool or enjoy warm.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How do you know when the dough has risen enough?

Depending on the temperature of your room, it will take slightly different times for the dough to complete it's first prove (rise). Aim for 1 hour in a 21C room, then check the dough by giving it a poke with your finger. If the dough springs back easily, it needs more time. If it doesn't spring back at all, it's over proved. Or if it springs back about halfway, it's just right! If you're not sure, it's always better to have sightly under proved bread, than over proved bread.

What size tin do you need to make the Cheese & Pickle Swirl Bread Rolls?

I used a tin which is 32 x 23 x 2.5cm (12 x 9 x 1 inches). If you have a tin that is slightly bigger or slightly smaller this will be ok, just don't use a tin that is dramatically bigger or smaller. You could also split the rolls between two smaller tins.

How long do the Cheese & Pickle Swirl Bread Rolls last and can they be frozen?

They will keep well for 2-4 days, however they are really best eaten within 1-2 days. Store them in an airtight container in a cool place. You can freeze them for up to three months, wrap well in cling film or freeze in a tupperware container.

Can this recipe be made gluten free?

If you are coeliac or are wanting to bake bread for someone who is, I would advise that you look for a specifically gluten free bread recipe. It is much easier to follow an already gluten free bread recipe, than try to adapt one. I am not familiar with gluten free bread baking, and I have no experience with baking gluten free bread.

Can this recipe be made dairy free?

Yes, to make the rolls dairy free replace the cheese with a dairy free alternative. Please do check the labels for everything you use to make this recipe if you are serving it to someone with an allergy or intolerance.

What type of yeast should you use to make the rolls?

The best type of yeast to use for this recipe is fast action yeast (also know as instant yeast) it is sold in sachets that weigh 7g each. It does not need dissolving in water before use. The great thing about this type of yeast is that you can just add it straight into the flour. It is my personal favourite kind of yeast for homemade bread baking, and the type I recommend for this recipe. However if you want to use fresh yeast, you will need 8g fresh yeast. Or if you want to use active dry yeast, you will need 9g of active dried yeast.

Troubleshooting

My number one tip for getting the best results is to read through this whole page of tips and recommendations before starting, and follow the recipe exactly. If you have any questions about this recipe, or if something went wrong and you need help, please use the comment form below and I will get back to you. You can also get in touch with me on my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

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