Italian Herbs Cheese Bread is a delightful culinary creation that brings the warmth of Italy right into your kitchen. Imagine the aroma of freshly baked bread infused with a medley of aromatic herbs and gooey cheese wafting through your home—it’s simply irresistible! This recipe not only celebrates the rich flavors of Italian cuisine but also pays homage to the traditional methods of bread-making that have been passed down through generations. People adore this dish for its perfect balance of crispy crust and soft, cheesy interior, making it an ideal companion for soups, salads, or simply enjoyed on its own. With its convenience and mouthwatering taste, Italian Herbs Cheese Bread is sure to become a favorite in your household, just as it has in mine!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Extra flour for dusting
- Olive oil for greasing
Preparing the Dough
Let’s get started on making this delicious Italian Herbs Cheese Bread! The first step is to prepare the dough. Follow these steps carefully:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This means the yeast is activated and ready to work its magic!
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix them together well to ensure the salt is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add it to the flour mixture along with the olive oil. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as needed.
- Once kneaded, shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Incorporating the Cheese and Herbs
Now that our dough has risen beautifully, it’s time to add those delicious flavors!
- After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Transfer it back to the floured surface.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) over the dough.
- Fold the dough over itself a few times to incorporate the cheese and herbs evenly. Knead gently for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined.
Shaping the Bread
Now that our dough is packed with flavor, it’s time to shape it into a loaf!
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a loaf by flattening it slightly, then rolling it tightly from one end to the other.
- Pinch the seams to seal the loaves and tuck the ends under to create a nice shape.
- Place the shaped loaves onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a greased loaf pan. Make sure to leave some space between them as they will rise again.
- Cover the loaves with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have puffed up nicely.
Baking the Bread
It’s almost time to enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread! Let’s get these loaves into the oven.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking our cheesy, herb-infused bread.
- Once the loaves have risen, you can optionally brush the tops with a little olive oil for a golden crust.
- Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before slicing. This will help the cheese set a bit and make it easier to cut
Conclusion:
In summary, this Italian Herbs Cheese Bread is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to elevate their baking game and impress their family and friends. The combination of aromatic herbs and gooey cheese creates a flavor explosion that is simply irresistible. Whether you serve it warm as a side dish to your favorite pasta, enjoy it as a delightful appetizer with a dipping sauce, or even use it to make the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich, this bread is versatile enough to fit any occasion. Feel free to get creative with your variations! You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as mozzarella or feta, or add in some sun-dried tomatoes or olives for an extra burst of flavor. The possibilities are endless, and I encourage you to make this recipe your own. I can’t wait for you to try this Italian Herbs Cheese Bread! Once you do, I would love to hear about your experience. Share your thoughts, any tweaks you made, or even a photo of your delicious creation. Let’s spread the joy of baking together! So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a slice of heaven. Happy baking! Print
Italian Herbs Cheese Bread: A Delicious Recipe for Flavorful Homemade Loaf
- Total Time: 110 minutes
- Yield: 2 loaves 1x
Description
Enjoy the irresistible taste of Italian Herbs Cheese Bread, a soft and cheesy loaf enriched with aromatic herbs. Ideal for pairing with soups and salads or savoring on its own, this homemade bread is a delightful addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Extra flour for dusting
- Olive oil for greasing
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix well to ensure even distribution of salt.
- Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add it to the flour mixture along with the olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air and transfer it back to the floured surface.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) over the dough.
- Fold the dough over itself a few times to incorporate the cheese and herbs evenly. Knead gently for another 2-3 minutes.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion slightly and roll tightly from one end to the other to shape into loaves.
- Pinch the seams to seal and tuck the ends under to create a nice shape.
- Place the loaves onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a greased loaf pan, leaving space between them.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until puffed up.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Optionally, brush the tops of the loaves with olive oil for a golden crust.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- For added flavor, feel free to experiment with different herbs or cheese varieties.
- Ensure the water temperature is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
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