Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe
Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a flavorful homemade loaf combining aromatic garlic, fresh herbs, and gooey melted cheese. This Italian-inspired bread is perfect for serving with soups, salads, or as a tasty snack. Soft on the inside with a golden crust, it’s a delightful way to enjoy a classic savory bread with an easy baking method.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
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 Ingredients
- 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 the flour, instant yeast, and salt thoroughly to prepare the base for your dough.
- Add liquids and form dough. Pour in the warm water and olive oil, stirring until the mixture comes together into a rough dough.
- Knead the dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic, which helps develop the gluten structure.
- First rise. Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape and fill. Punch down the risen dough, roll it out into a rectangle shape on a floured surface. Evenly spread the minced garlic, fresh herbs, and shredded cheese over the dough’s surface.
- Form the loaf. Roll the dough tightly from one end to the other, then pinch the edges and ends to seal the filling inside, preventing leaks during baking.
- Second rise. Place the rolled dough seam side down into a greased loaf pan. Cover and allow it to rise for an additional 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese filling is melty and slightly bubbly.
- Cool and serve. Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a rack before slicing. This resting helps set the crumb and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like parsley, basil, and thyme for the best and brightest flavor.
- Feel free to swap mozzarella with cheddar or any other favorite melting cheese.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 2 days.
- For a crustier loaf, bake on the middle oven rack without a lid and place a pan of water below to create steam.
Keywords: swirled garlic herb and cheese bread, garlic bread, homemade bread, cheesy bread, herb bread
