Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe
This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a delicious homemade bread featuring a soft, elastic dough infused with aromatic garlic and fresh herbs, generously layered with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a savory snack, side dish, or appetizer, this bread is beautifully twisted for an attractive swirl pattern and baked to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
Filling Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, or rosemary)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: Add eggs, softened unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and allow it to rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: While the dough rises, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a pan over medium heat. Add finely minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in chopped fresh herbs and then remove from heat, setting aside the garlic herb butter.
- Shape and Fill Dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Brush the garlic herb butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across.
- Form the Swirl: Roll the dough into a log shape tightly. Slice the log lengthwise down the center, exposing the cheese and garlic layers. Twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing upwards to create the swirl effect.
- Second Rise: Place the twisted dough into a greased pan. Cover and let it rise for an additional 30 to 40 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the egg wash by beating 1 large egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush it gently over the dough. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm to enjoy the melted cheese and aromatic garlic herbs.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other melty cheeses like provolone or cheddar for different flavors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently to maintain softness.
- Fresh herbs can be adjusted or combined according to taste preferences.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to prevent the cheese from oozing out excessively.
Keywords: garlic bread, herb bread, cheese bread, swirled bread, homemade bread, savory bread
