Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–6 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
