Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread How-to Guide Recipe
This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread recipe is a delicious homemade bread featuring a savory blend of fresh garlic, aromatic herbs, and melted cheese rolled into soft, fluffy dough. Perfect as a comforting side or a tasty snack, it combines the rich flavors of mozzarella or cheddar with fragrant parsley, basil, and thyme, resulting in a golden brown, irresistibly flavorful loaf.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Filling
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (parsley, basil, thyme), chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Add Liquids and Mix: Pour in the warm water and olive oil, stirring until a dough begins to form and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Punch Down and Roll Out: After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangular shape approximately 12×18 inches.
- Add Filling: Evenly spread the minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs, and shredded cheese over the rolled dough, ensuring full coverage for each bite.
- Roll and Seal: Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Pinch the seams and ends together to seal the filling inside and prevent leakage during baking.
- Second Rise: Place the rolled dough seam-side down into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again for 30 minutes until puffed.
- Bake the Bread: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Serve: Remove bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan before slicing to maintain its shape and texture. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use warm water around 110°F (43°C) to activate the yeast without killing it.
- You can substitute herbs based on preference, such as rosemary or oregano for extra flavor.
- Feel free to mix cheeses or add other fillings like sun-dried tomatoes or olives for variety.
- Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing to ensure clean slices and prevent the cheese from oozing out.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: garlic bread, herb bread, cheese bread, homemade bread, savory bread, soft bread, baked bread
