Print

Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.1 from 44 reviews

This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a flavorful homemade loaf infused with a blend of garlic, Italian herbs, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Perfectly golden and soft on the inside, this bread is great served warm as a side or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 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

For the Herb Butter Spread

  • 4 tablespoons butter (softened)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1½ tablespoons dried Italian herb blend

For the Filling and Topping

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
  2. Mix Dough: Add the olive oil, 3 cups of flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough starts to form.
  3. Knead Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic, gradually adding the remaining flour as needed to prevent sticking.
  4. First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  5. Prepare Herb Butter: While the dough rises, combine softened butter with minced garlic and dried Italian herbs to create a flavorful spread.
  6. Shape Dough: Roll the risen dough out into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the herb butter mixture evenly over the dough, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley on top.
  7. Roll and Seal: Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log shape, pinch the seam to seal it well, and place the loaf into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  8. Second Rise: Cover the pan and allow the loaf to rise again for 30-45 minutes until it puffs up.
  9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped, indicating it is fully cooked.
  10. Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Make sure the water temperature is around 110°F for proper yeast activation; too hot or cold can kill the yeast.
  • Kneading is key to developing gluten and achieving a soft, elastic bread texture.
  • You can substitute dried herbs with fresh herbs if desired, but reduce the quantity by half to avoid overpowering.
  • If you prefer, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for kneading to save time and effort.
  • The bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to a month.

Keywords: Italian bread, herbs and cheese bread, homemade bread, garlic bread, savory bread, mozzarella bread

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