Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe
This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a deliciously aromatic loaf featuring a perfect blend of garlic, herbs, and melted cheeses. With a soft, fluffy interior swirled with mozzarella and Parmesan, and a golden crust baked to perfection, this bread is ideal for serving alongside soups, salads, or as a satisfying snack on its own. Simple ingredients come together with easy kneading and baking steps, making it an indulgent yet approachable homemade bread recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet instant yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Filling
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Form Dough: Pour in the warm water and olive oil, then stir the mixture until it begins to come together into a dough.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead vigorously for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) in preparation for baking.
- Roll Out Dough: After the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangular shape on a floured surface, ready for the filling.
- Add Filling: Evenly spread the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese all over the rolled-out dough.
- Shape the Loaf: Starting at one edge, tightly roll the dough into a log, sealing the ends by pinching the dough together to prevent filling leakage.
- Second Rise: Place the rolled dough seam-side down into a greased loaf pan, cover it, and allow it to rise for another 30 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Bake the Bread: Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted inside.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm but not hot to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Feel free to substitute dried herbs with fresh herbs if preferred, adjusting the quantity to taste.
- For a crispier crust, brush the top of the loaf with olive oil or melted butter before baking.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to prevent cheese from oozing out excessively.
- This bread can be stored wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Keywords: garlic bread, cheese bread, herb bread, homemade bread, mozzarella, Parmesan, savory bread
