Description
Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a masterpiece of homemade baking that will captivate your senses and delight your taste buds. With its impressive appearance, irresistible flavors, and versatility as an appetizer, side dish, or main attraction, this recipe is sure to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon salted butter, melted
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and active, indicating that the yeast is ready to work its magic.
2. Add the egg, softened butter, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook, mix on medium speed for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth, soft, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
3. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
4. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, garlic, parsley, basil, and thyme until well combined. Set aside. In a separate bowl, grate and mix the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.
5. Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles, then roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, approximately 12 x 18 inches. Spread the garlic herb butter evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Generously sprinkle the cheese mixture on top.
6. Starting from the long edge closest to you, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife, slice the log lengthwise down the center to expose the layers. Twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing up, forming a beautiful swirled loaf. Transfer the twisted dough to a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan or shape it into a round on a lined baking sheet.
7. Cover the shaped bread loosely and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until it becomes puffy and rises further.
8. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake the Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it’s deep golden brown on top and cooked through. If the top browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
9. As soon as the bread comes out of the oven, brush it generously with the garlic butter topping and garnish with fresh herbs. Allow the bread to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This swirled masterpiece is soft, buttery, and loaded with gooey melted cheese in every bite – a true showstopper for any table.
Notes
Be careful not to overknead the dough, as this can result in a tough, chewy texture. Likewise, allowing the dough to underrise can lead to a dense, heavy loaf. Pay close attention to the rising times and visual cues to ensure your Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread rises to perfection.
Adjust the amount of flour used based on the humidity and altitude of your environment. For maximum flavor, be sure to use fresh, high-quality herbs in the filling. Experiment with different cheese blends to find your perfect flavor combination.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 slices
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg