Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe

Introduction

Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a delightful homemade treat that combines soft, fluffy dough with a flavorful garlic herb butter and melted cheese. Perfectly golden and oozing with cheese, this bread is sure to become a favorite for any meal or snack.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 large egg
• 4 tablespoons softened butter (for filling)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt (for filling)
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or parmesan

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Stir until a soft dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare the filling by mixing softened butter, minced garlic, dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt in a small bowl.
6. Step 6: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a 10 by 15-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
7. Step 7: Spread the garlic herb butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
8. Step 8: Roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seam to seal. Slice the log lengthwise to expose the swirls.
9. Step 9: Twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing up, then place the twisted loaf into a greased loaf pan.
10. Step 10: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
11. Step 11: Let the bread cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For clean, defined swirls, use a sharp knife to slice the dough lengthwise.
• Try substituting mozzarella with gouda, provolone, or Monterey Jack for different flavor profiles.
• Brush the hot loaf with melted butter immediately after baking for an extra soft and shiny crust.

Storage

Wrap the bread tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze sliced pieces and reheat quickly in a toaster or oven.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Mix it directly with the dry ingredients, but reduce the amount slightly—use about 2 teaspoons instead of 2 ¼ teaspoons.

How do I know if the bread is fully baked?

The bread should be golden brown on top and have cheese bubbling. You can also tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow when done.

Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 145 reviews

This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread recipe features a soft, flavorful homemade dough filled with a rich garlic herb butter and a melty blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Perfectly twisted to reveal beautiful swirls, this bread is baked to a golden perfection and makes a savory treat ideal for any meal or snack.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 large egg

For the Garlic Herb Cheese Filling

• 4 tablespoons softened butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or parmesan

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–7 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active.
2. Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–6 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Prepare the garlic herb cheese filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with minced garlic, dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt until well combined.
6. Roll out the dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air, then roll it out into a 10×15-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
7. Add the filling: Spread the garlic herb butter mixture evenly over the dough surface. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar (or parmesan) evenly over the butter.
8. Create the swirl: Roll the dough tightly into a log from the long edge and pinch the seam to seal. Slice the log lengthwise down the middle to expose the layers of filling.
9. Twist and place in pan: Twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing up to show the swirls. Place the twisted dough into a greased loaf pan.
10. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
11. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Use a sharp knife to cut the dough for cleaner, more defined spiral layers in the bread.
• Feel free to experiment with different cheeses such as gouda, provolone, or Monterey Jack to customize flavors.
• For extra softness and a glossy finish, brush the hot loaf with melted butter immediately after baking.
• Store leftover bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze sliced portions for quick reheating later.

Keywords: garlic herb bread, swirled cheese bread, homemade bread, garlic butter bread, mozzarella bread, cheesy bread loaf