Swirled Garlic Herb And Cheese Bread Recipe

Introduction

Golden, pillowy, and cheesy to the core, this Swirled Garlic Herb And Cheese Bread is a buttery dream packed with melty mozzarella, roasted garlic, and fresh herbs. It’s perfect to pair with your favorite pasta or enjoy on its own, warm and gooey right out of the oven.

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
• 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
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add eggs, softened butter, flour, and salt. Knead until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
3. Step 3: While dough rises, melt butter in a pan, add garlic, and cook 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in chopped herbs and set aside to cool slightly.
4. Step 4: Roll risen dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Brush generously with the garlic herb butter and sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top.
5. Step 5: Roll the dough into a tight log from the long edge. Slice the log lengthwise to expose the cheesy layers, then twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing up.
6. Step 6: Place the shaped loaf in a greased loaf pan or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top with egg wash made from the whisked egg and water. Bake for 35–40 minutes until deeply golden and bubbly.
8. Step 8: Let the bread cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to help the cheese settle. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• For even more flavor, add a sprinkle of Parmesan before baking.
• Always let the bread cool slightly before slicing to achieve clean layers and prevent the cheese from oozing out.
• If using dried herbs instead of fresh, reduce the quantity to about 2 teaspoons to avoid overpowering the bread.
• Try swapping mozzarella with fontina or add a touch of parmesan for a richer cheese blend.

Storage

Wrap the cooled bread tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze sliced portions and toast or reheat them in the oven or toaster oven to restore the crisp edges and gooey center.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

How do I know when the dough is kneaded enough?

The dough should feel smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky. To test, stretch a small piece; if it stretches thin without tearing (the “windowpane test”), it is ready.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes, but use about one-third the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. Fresh herbs do add more brightness and color to the bread.

Swirled Garlic Herb And Cheese Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 120 reviews

Golden, pillowy, and cheesy to the core, this swirled bread is a buttery dream packed with melty mozzarella, roasted garlic, and fresh herbs. Perfect to pair with your favorite pasta or enjoy on its own, warm and gooey right out of the oven.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 large loaf 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread Dough

• 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

• 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 (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Prepare yeast mixture: Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast.
2. Make dough and first rise: Add eggs, softened butter, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead until smooth and elastic. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
3. Prepare garlic herb butter: While dough rises, melt butter in a pan, add finely minced garlic, and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in chopped fresh herbs. Let cool slightly.
4. Roll out dough and add filling: Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Generously brush with garlic herb butter, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
5. Shape dough with swirl: Carefully roll the dough into a tight log starting from the long edge. Slice the log lengthwise to expose the cheesy layers, then twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing up to create the swirl.
6. Second rise: Place the twisted loaf into a greased loaf pan or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes until slightly puffy.
7. Bake the bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top of the loaf with an egg wash made from whisking 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the crust is deeply golden and bubbly.
8. Cool and serve: Allow the bread to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to let the cheese settle. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• For even more flavor, add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before baking.
• Always let the bread cool slightly before slicing to achieve clean layers and avoid cheese spilling.
• If using dried herbs instead of fresh, reduce the amount to about 2 teaspoons total as dried herbs are more concentrated.
• You can prepare the dough ahead by refrigerating overnight; allow it to come to room temperature and rise before shaping and baking.
• Skipping the egg wash is possible but will result in a less glossy, paler crust.

Keywords: garlic bread, cheese bread, savory swirl bread