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Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 86 reviews

A golden, cheesy loaf infused with Italian herbs. This homemade Italian Herb and Cheese Bread is soft inside, crisp outside, and perfect with pasta, soups, or a simple olive oil dip. The bread features a flavorful blend of dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, baked to perfection with a buttery crust and garnished with fresh parsley.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Cheese Ingredients

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Finishing Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Activate yeast: In a small bowl, stir warm water and sugar together. Add yeast and let sit for 5–7 minutes until foamy to ensure the yeast is active and ready for baking.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the dough.
  3. Form dough: Add the yeast mixture and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Stir until a rough dough forms, combining all ingredients thoroughly.
  4. Knead: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This develops the gluten structure needed for good bread texture.
  5. First rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size, indicating proper fermentation.
  6. Add cheese: Punch down the risen dough to release air, then gently knead in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese until evenly distributed within the dough.
  7. Shape loaf: Form the dough into a loaf shape and place it into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes to achieve a final proofing.
  8. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the top of the dough with melted butter for a golden crust. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  9. Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the warm loaf, let cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve warm. This bread pairs beautifully with pasta, soups, or olive oil dips.

Notes

  • Room Temperature Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days to keep it fresh.
  • Refrigeration: Bread stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days, but it’s best to reheat before serving for optimal texture.
  • Freezing: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in a 350°F oven for best results.
  • Cheese Variations: Substitute mozzarella with cheddar, fontina, or gouda for different flavor profiles.
  • Additional Flavors: Add roasted garlic cloves or Mediterranean ingredients like olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or caramelized onions for a twist.
  • Dinner Rolls: Shape dough into smaller rolls instead of one large loaf for individual servings.

Keywords: Italian herb bread, cheese bread, homemade bread, mozzarella bread, Parmesan bread, herbed bread, garlic bread, baked bread loaf

Find it online: https://deliciousdishspot.com/italian-herb-and-cheese-bread-recipe/