Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe
Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a deliciously soft and flavorful loaf featuring a garlicky herb butter and melted mozzarella cheese swirled throughout the dough. This homemade bread offers a perfect balance of savory herbs, creamy cheese, and a beautiful twisted presentation, making it an ideal side for any meal or a tasty snack on its own.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 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 (for filling)
- 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: Mix warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Make Dough: Add eggs, softened butter, all-purpose flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and elastic dough. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: While the dough is rising, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add finely minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and then set the mixture aside to cool slightly.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Evenly brush the garlic herb butter over the dough, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese all over the top.
- Shape the Bread: Roll the dough tightly into a log shape lengthwise. Carefully slice the log in half lengthwise, exposing the layers of butter, garlic, herbs, and cheese. Twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing upward to create a swirl effect.
- Second Rise: Place the twisted dough in a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again for 30 to 40 minutes until puffed and nearly doubled.
- Preheat and Egg Wash: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the egg wash by whisking one large egg with one tablespoon of water. Brush the egg wash evenly on the top of the twisted dough to give it a golden, shiny crust during baking.
- Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm to enjoy the melty cheese and aromatic herbs at their best.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Customize the herb mix depending on your preference—thyme, parsley, and rosemary all work beautifully.
- You can substitute mozzarella cheese with other melting cheeses like cheddar or provolone for different flavors.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to prevent the cheese from oozing out too much.
- This bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days; warm before serving.
Keywords: garlic herb bread, cheese bread, homemade bread, twisted bread, mozzarella bread, savory bread loaf
