Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a flavorful twist on classic homemade bread. Infused with garlic, Italian herbs, and melted cheeses, it’s perfect as a savory side or a snack. Freshly baked, it fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

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
• 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

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy.
2. Step 2: Add olive oil, 3 cups of flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Step 3: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding remaining flour as needed.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
5. Step 5: While the dough rises, mix softened butter with minced garlic and dried Italian herbs.
6. Step 6: Roll the dough into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the herb butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle with mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh parsley.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough tightly from the long side, pinch the seam to seal, and place it seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
8. Step 8: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Serve warm for the best flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the herb butter mixture.
• Substitute mozzarella with provolone or fontina cheese for a different cheese profile.
• Use fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme if you prefer them over dried Italian herb blends.
• Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to keep the cheese from oozing out too much.

Storage

Store leftover bread wrapped in foil or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, freeze the bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and crusty again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can use instant yeast. If using instant yeast, you can mix it directly with the flour and skip the initial proofing step with warm water and sugar.

Can I make this bread without cheese?

Absolutely. You can omit the cheeses to make a flavorful herb bread without them. You might want to add extra garlic or herbs for more flavor in that case.

Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe

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4.5 from 137 reviews

This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a flavorful homemade loaf packed with a savory blend of Italian herbs, garlic butter, and melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Perfectly soft on the inside with a golden crust, it makes a delicious accompaniment to any meal or a satisfying snack on its own.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 Topping

• 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

1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: Add olive oil, 3 cups of flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, incorporating the remaining flour as needed to prevent sticking.
4. First Rise: Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Prepare Herb Butter: While the dough rises, combine softened butter with minced garlic and the dried Italian herb blend, mixing thoroughly.
6. Shape Dough and Add Toppings: Roll the risen dough into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the prepared herb butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley on top.
7. Form Loaf: Roll the dough tightly along the long side to form a loaf, pinch the seam to seal it securely, and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
8. Second Rise: Cover the loaf and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes until it has slightly puffed up.
9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
10. Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Ensure water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• For a stronger garlic flavor, you can increase the garlic quantity according to taste.
• The loaf freezes well; slice and freeze for convenient future use.
• Use fresh herbs if available, but adjust quantities to maintain balance with dried herbs.
• Check bread doneness by tapping the bottom; it should sound hollow when fully baked.

Keywords: Italian bread, herb bread, cheese bread, homemade bread, garlic bread, easy bread recipe