Description
This Swirled Garlic Herb Bread is a delicious homemade savory loaf infused with a fragrant blend of garlic, fresh parsley, and Italian herbs. The dough is rolled with a flavorful garlic butter mixture and twisted into a beautiful swirl, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or as a flavorful sandwich bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Garlic Herb Filling
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Activate the yeast. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare the dough. Add olive oil, salt, and flour gradually to the yeast mixture while mixing until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- First rise. Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the garlic herb mixture. While the dough rises, combine melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Shape the dough and add filling. Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Evenly spread the garlic herb butter mixture over the dough’s surface.
- Create the swirl. Roll the dough tightly into a log, then cut this log in half lengthwise. Twist the two halves together gently to create a swirled effect and place the twisted dough into a greased loaf pan.
- Second rise. Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until it puffs up.
- Bake the bread. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool and serve. Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra flavor, brush additional garlic butter on top immediately after baking.
- You can add shredded cheese inside the swirl for a cheesy variation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness and reheat before serving to restore texture.
