Delicious Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe to Try Today!
This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a warm, aromatic masterpiece that brings the essence of Italy right into your home. With a perfect harmony of fragrant Italian herbs and gooey melted cheese, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour (or bread flour)
- Active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
- Warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- Dried basil
- Dried oregano
- Dried thyme
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil (or melted butter or non-dairy alternative)
- Salt (regular table salt or sea salt)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and dried herbs. Stir well to combine all the dry ingredients.
- Once the yeast is activated, add it to the dry ingredients along with the olive oil. Mix until a dough starts to form.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as needed.
- Gently fold in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella into the dough, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- After the first rise, punch down the dough to release the air. Shape it into a loaf or divide it into smaller rolls, depending on your preference.
- Place your shaped loaf or rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover again and let it rise for about 30-45 minutes.
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Once the dough has risen again, bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: For an extra flavor kick, consider adding minced garlic or roasted garlic into the dough. Experiment with different cheeses like feta or goat cheese for a unique twist. Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried, but use about three times more because the flavor is less concentrated.