preheat oven to 400°F

add yeast to 110°F water add butter, salt, sugar, and 2 cups flour until dough is not sticky mixing well

roll dough into a 15x10" rectangle on a half sheet of parchment paper

chop Ham and layer down the middle section of the rectangle lengthwise

sprinkle cheese on top of Ham

cut 1 inch strips torward the center of the rectangle on each side

starting at the bottom overlap strips alternately it will look like a braid seal each end of the braided loaf

beat egg and brush on the top of the loaf

place on a cookie sheet over a pan of boiling water for 15 minutes to rise

bake for 25 minutes at 400°F, remove from parchment paper immediately to a cooling rack