Description
Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a warm, flavorful, and inviting bread featuring a perfect blend of savory Italian herbs and melted cheese baked into a golden, tender crumb. This versatile bread is easy to make, customizable, and ideal as an appetizer, side dish, or snack that pairs well with various meals or stands deliciously on its own.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb mix (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: Dissolve the active dry yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, garlic powder, and Italian herb mix. Pour in the olive oil and the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a sticky dough begins to form.
- Knead Until Smooth: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead by hand for 8-10 minutes until soft, smooth, and elastic, which ensures a light bread texture.
- First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours until doubled in size.
- Incorporate Cheese and Shape: Gently punch down the dough, knead in shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly, then shape the dough into a loaf or divide into smaller rolls as desired.
- Second Rise: Let the shaped dough rest and rise for another 30 to 45 minutes to develop airy pockets and melted cheese pockets.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 25-30 minutes until the crust is a rich golden brown and cheese is bubbling.
Notes
- Always ensure water used to activate yeast is warm (~110°F), not hot or cold, for best results.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried herbs, but reduce quantity as fresh herbs are more potent.
- Do not skip kneading; proper kneading creates gluten strands essential for texture.
- Knead cheese gently into dough to avoid clumping but maintain pockets of melted cheese.
- Use a baking stone or heavy sheet preheated for a crispier crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (assuming 12 slices per loaf)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Italian herbs, cheese bread, homemade bread, appetizer, baked bread, mozzarella, Parmesan, savory bread
