Description
A fragrant and savory Italian bread infused with herbs and melty cheese, perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon Italian herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups cheese of choice (mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by combining warm water and yeast in a bowl and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix the dry ingredients: whisk together flour, salt, and herbs in a large bowl and make a well in the center.
- Add the activated yeast, garlic, and melted butter to the flour mixture and mix into a dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Fold in the cheese until evenly distributed.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled (1-2 hours).
- Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it on a baking sheet to rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the top of the dough with melted butter and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Notes
Experiment with different cheese blends and always ensure your water is warm but not hot when activating yeast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Italian bread, cheese bread, herb bread, baking, homemade bread