Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe
Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a flavorful homemade yeast bread filled with a savory garlic herb butter and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar or Parmesan cheeses. This soft, aromatic bread is perfect as a snack, appetizer, or accompaniment to meals, offering a delicious combination of rich dairy, fresh herbs, and warm, pillowy dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8-10 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 egg
For the Garlic Herb Cheese Filling:
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Prepare the Garlic Herb Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, shredded mozzarella, and shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Roll out the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release air and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, roughly 12 x 18 inches in size.
- Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the garlic herb cheese mixture over the rolled dough, ensuring an even layer to distribute flavor throughout the bread.
- Form the Swirl: Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal, then cut the log lengthwise down the middle to expose the layers. Twist the two strands around each other, keeping the cut sides facing upward to reveal the swirl pattern.
- Second Rise: Place the twisted dough into a greased loaf pan or shape it into a round loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Bake the Bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese filling is bubbling. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to let the flavors settle and the cheese firm up slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Warm the milk to about 110°F (45°C) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- You can substitute the cheddar cheese with Parmesan for a sharper flavor or a blend of both.
- Store leftover bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheat slices in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes for a freshly baked taste and texture.
- For extra flavor, add fresh chopped parsley or chives to the garlic herb butter mixture.
Keywords: garlic bread, herb bread, cheese bread, homemade bread, garlic herb cheese loaf