Description
This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread recipe combines aromatic dried herbs, garlic butter, and a flavorful blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses baked into a soft, golden loaf. Perfect for serving warm alongside meals or enjoying as a savory snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Herb Butter and Toppings
- 4 tablespoons butter (softened)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1½ tablespoons dried Italian herb blend
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add olive oil, 3 cups of the flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic, incorporating the remaining flour as necessary to avoid stickiness.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare Herb Butter: While the dough rises, combine the softened butter with minced garlic and dried Italian herbs to create the flavorful herb butter.
- Shape and Fill Dough: Roll out the risen dough into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the herb butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley on top.
- Form Loaf: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal the roll and place it seam side down into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly, then serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make sure the water is not too hot when activating the yeast; 110°F is ideal to prevent killing the yeast.
- You can substitute Italian herb blend with individual herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme if preferred.
- For an extra crispy crust, brush the loaf with olive oil before baking.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
- This bread freezes well; slice and freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian bread, herb bread, cheese bread, garlic bread, homemade bread, savory bread
