Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- Make Dough: Add olive oil, 3 cups of flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare Herb Butter: While the dough rises, combine softened butter with minced garlic and the dried Italian herb blend, mixing thoroughly.
- 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.
- 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.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes until it has slightly puffed up.
- 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.
- 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
