Description
A soft and flavorful savory herb and cheese bread featuring a blend of fresh parsley, garlic, thyme, and melted cheddar or mozzarella cheese. This homemade bread is perfect served warm with butter, alongside soups or salads, or as a delicious snack.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
Flavorings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, egg, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, dried thyme, and chopped parsley. Pour in the foamy yeast mixture and knead the ingredients together until you form a smooth and elastic dough, about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-7 minutes with a mixer.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Add Cheese: After the first rise, gently fold in the shredded cheese evenly into the dough, making sure not to deflate it too much.
- Shape and Second Rise: Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased loaf pan. Cover it again and let it rise for 30 minutes until it puffs up slightly.
- Bake the Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. Optionally, brush the crust with garlic butter for extra flavor before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the dried thyme and parsley with an Italian herb blend for a different flavor profile.
- For an extra rich and aromatic crust, brush the top of the bread with garlic butter immediately after baking.
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- If you prefer a sharper taste, use cheddar cheese; for a milder, stretchier texture, use mozzarella.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Bread, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, European
