Description

Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a soft, flavorful loaf featuring a rich blend of garlic, fresh herbs, and gooey mozzarella cheese. This artisan-style bread is perfect as a savory snack, side dish, or party appetizer, boasting a golden crust and a tender, cheesy interior with aromatic herb butter swirled throughout.

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: In a bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
Prepare dough: Add eggs, softened unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Make 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 about 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in chopped fresh herbs of choice and remove from heat. Set aside to cool slightly.
Roll and fill dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Brush the entire surface evenly with the garlic herb butter. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the buttered dough.
Shape the bread: Roll the dough tightly into a log from one long edge. Using a sharp knife, slice the log lengthwise in half, exposing the layers. Twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing upwards to expose the swirls of filling.
Second rise: Place the twisted dough into a greased baking pan. Cover and let it rise again for 30 to 40 minutes until puffy.
Preheat and bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the top of the loaf with the egg wash for a shiny golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm for the best flavor and gooey texture.

Notes

Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
Use fresh herbs for the best aroma and flavor; a mix of thyme and parsley works particularly well.
You can substitute mozzarella with other melty cheeses like cheddar or fontina for a different flavor profile.
Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to prevent the cheese from oozing out excessively.
This bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of loaf)
Calories: 280 kcal
Sugar: 3.5 g
Sodium: 320 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Protein: 9 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg

Keywords: garlic bread, herb bread, cheesy bread, twisted bread, mozzarella bread, savory bread, homemade bread, garlic herb cheese bread