Description
Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a golden, pillowy bread infused with garlic and herbs, wrapped around gooey mozzarella.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ½ cups (420–450 grams) All-Purpose Flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 cup (240 ml) Warm Water (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 standard packet) Active Dry Yeast
- ¼ cup (57 grams) Unsalted Butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon Salt (for dough)
- ½ cup (113 grams) Unsalted Butter, softened (for filling)
- 4–6 cloves Fresh Garlic, minced very finely
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste (for filling)
- 1 cup (about 113 grams) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ cup (about 50 grams) Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Large Egg, beaten (for egg wash, optional)
- 1 tablespoon Water or milk (for egg wash, optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and granulated sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top, stir gently, and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Once yeast is bubbly, stir in the melted and cooled unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually add all-purpose flour, about a cup at a time, until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface by hand for 8-10 minutes, or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook on medium-low speed for 6-8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a clean large bowl with oil. Transfer the kneaded dough, turning once to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- While the dough rises, combine the ½ cup softened unsalted butter, minced fresh garlic, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh chives, dried oregano, and optional red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Season generously with salt and black pepper, then mix thoroughly until uniform and aromatic. Set aside.
- Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan (or line with parchment paper). Gently punch down the risen dough to release air and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 16×12 inches (40×30 cm) and about ¼ inch thick. Spread the prepared garlic herb butter evenly over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough.
- Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the garlic herb filling, leaving a small ½-inch border along one of the longer edges. Starting from the opposite longer side, carefully and tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam closed along the bottom edge and gently tuck the ends under.
- Choose your shaping method: 1. For a classic loaf, place the rolled log seam-side down into the prepared loaf pan. 2. For a twisted loaf, slice the log lengthwise, twist the two halves around each other, and carefully place into the pan. 3. For pull-apart buns, slice the log into 1 ½ to 2-inch thick rounds and arrange upright in the pan. Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again in a warm, draft-free spot for 30-45 minutes, or until noticeably puffed.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) about 15 minutes before the second rise ends. If using, whisk 1 large egg with 1 tablespoon of water or milk for an egg wash and gently brush it over the top of the risen bread. Carefully place the loaf pan into the preheated oven.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is deeply golden brown on top and cooked through (internal temperature 200-210°F / 93-99°C). If browning too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This bread pairs well with pasta dishes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Reheat in the oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Garlic Herb Cheese Bread, Cheese Bread, Garlic Bread, Homemade Bread