Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a fragrant, cheesy delight perfect for any meal or as a savory snack. It combines the warmth of garlic butter with a blend of Italian herbs and gooey mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Baking this bread at home fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and delivers a fresh, flavorful loaf every time.

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 foamy, then add olive oil, 3 cups of flour, and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Step 2: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding the remaining flour as needed.
3. Step 3: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, mix the softened butter with minced garlic and dried Italian herbs.
5. Step 5: Roll the dough into a 12×18 inch rectangle, spread the herb butter evenly over it, then sprinkle with mozzarella, parmesan, and chopped parsley.
6. Step 6: Roll the dough tightly from the long side, pinch the seam to seal, and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Let it rise again for 30-45 minutes.
7. Step 7: Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Serve warm for the best flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For a crispier crust, bake the bread on a baking stone or place a pan of water in the oven to create steam.
• Try adding sun-dried tomatoes or olives to the cheese mixture for extra flavor.
• Use fresh herbs instead of dried for a brighter, fresher taste.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the loaf wrapped well for up to 1 month. Reheat slices in a toaster oven or warm in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

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 substitute instant yeast. If using instant yeast, reduce the warm water slightly and mix it directly with the dry ingredients without proofing first.

Can I make this bread without cheese?

Absolutely. You can omit the cheese for a simple Italian herb bread, or replace it with your favorite cheeses or fillings like sautéed spinach or caramelized onions.

Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 106 reviews

This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a flavorful homemade loaf combining aromatic Italian herbs, garlic-infused butter, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses baked to golden perfection. Soft, cheesy, and fragrant, this bread is perfect served warm as a side, snack, or for sandwiches.

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

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1½ tablespoons dried Italian herb blend

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (110°F)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter (softened)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Cheese & Herbs

• 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 yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: Add olive oil, 3 cups of the 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 smooth and elastic. Gradually add the remaining flour as needed to prevent sticking.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Prepare Herb Butter: While the dough rises, combine the softened butter with minced garlic and dried Italian herbs until well mixed.
6. Shape and Fill: Roll the dough out into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the herb butter mixture evenly over the surface. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley.
7. Roll and Seal: Roll the dough tightly from the long side like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam to seal the dough and place it seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
8. Second Rise: Cover the loaf and let it rise for another 30 to 45 minutes until puffed up.
9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
10. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the bread cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Ensure water is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
• Use fresh yeast for best results; expired yeast may not activate properly.
• For extra garlic flavor, add more minced garlic to the butter mixture.
• This bread freezes well; slice and freeze for a quick savory snack later.
• Optional: brush the crust with melted butter after baking for a softer finish.

Keywords: Italian bread, herb bread, cheese bread, homemade bread, garlic bread, mozzarella bread, parmesan bread, savory bread loaf