Swirled Garlic Herb Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Swirled Garlic Herb bread is a flavorful, cheesy treat perfect for any occasion. With a soft, tender dough wrapped around a fragrant garlic herb butter and melty mozzarella, it’s both comforting and impressive.

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: In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add eggs, softened butter, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
3. Step 3: While the dough rises, melt the butter in a pan. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and set aside.
4. Step 4: Roll the risen dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Brush it evenly with the garlic herb butter, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top.
5. Step 5: Roll the dough into a log. Slice the log lengthwise, then twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing up.
6. Step 6: Place the twisted dough into a greased pan. Cover and let it rise again for 30 to 40 minutes.
7. Step 7: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix the egg with water to make an egg wash and brush it over the dough. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden and cooked through.
8. Step 8: Allow the bread to cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm for the best taste.

Tips & Variations

• For more flavor, use a blend of your favorite fresh herbs or add a pinch of chili flakes to the garlic butter for a subtle kick.
• Try swapping mozzarella for a mix of mozzarella and cheddar for a sharper cheese taste.
• If fresh herbs aren’t available, substitute with 1 tablespoon dried herbs, but reduce overall quantity to avoid overpowering the bread.

Storage

Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep longer, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in the oven or toaster to restore softness and crisp the crust.

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 for active dry yeast. Use slightly less, typically about 2 teaspoons, and mix it directly with the flour without needing to proof it in warm milk.

What is the best way to prevent the garlic from burning?

Cook the garlic on low to medium heat and watch it carefully. Stir frequently and remove from heat as soon as it becomes fragrant and lightly golden to avoid bitterness from burning.

Swirled Garlic Herb Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 125 reviews

Swirled Garlic Herb bread is a delicious homemade loaf featuring a soft, yeasted dough generously filled with garlic, fresh herbs, and melted mozzarella cheese. This aromatic, cheesy bread is perfect for serving warm alongside meals or as a savory snack. The bread is twisted into a beautiful swirl to showcase the flavorful filling and baked to a golden perfection.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 servings) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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
• 1 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Activate yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make dough: Add eggs, softened butter, all-purpose flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead the ingredients until you achieve a smooth and elastic dough. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place until it doubles in size.
3. Prepare garlic herb butter: While the dough is rising, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes to release flavor. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs, then remove from heat and set aside.
4. Roll out dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Evenly brush the surface with the garlic herb butter, then sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire area.
5. Form the swirl: Carefully roll the dough into a log shape. Using a sharp knife, slice the log lengthwise into two halves. Twist the halves together with the cut sides facing upwards to reveal the swirled filling.
6. Second rise: Place the twisted dough into a greased pan. Cover and let it rise again for 30 to 40 minutes to become puffy.
7. Bake the bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash, then brush it over the loaf to give it a shiny golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
8. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm to enjoy the melty, herby, cheesy goodness.

Notes

• Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Kneading the dough well helps develop gluten, resulting in a soft, chewy bread.
• You can customize herbs based on preference; rosemary, thyme, and parsley all work well.
• Use a sharp knife to slice the dough log to prevent crushing the filling.
• Allow the bread to cool slightly before cutting to avoid losing the melted cheese filling.
• If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, add extra minced garlic to the filling.
• This bread is best served fresh but can be reheated gently in the oven.

Keywords: Garlic herb bread, cheesy bread, homemade bread, savory bread, swirl bread, garlic bread with mozzarella, herbed bread