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Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/italian-herbs-and-cheese-bread-recipe/