Italian Herbs and Cheese Stuffed Bread Recipe
This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread recipe is a flavorful and aromatic loaf featuring a blend of Italian herbs, garlic butter, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Soft on the inside with a golden crust, it’s perfect for serving warm as a side or snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Dough
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Herb Butter and Toppings
- 4 tablespoons butter (softened)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1½ tablespoons dried Italian herb blend
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, signaling the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add olive oil, 3 cups of flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, gradually incorporating the remaining flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare Herb Butter: While the dough is rising, mix the softened butter with minced garlic and dried Italian herbs to create a flavorful herb butter spread.
- Shape and Fill Dough: Roll out the risen dough into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the herb butter evenly over the surface. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley evenly on top.
- Roll and Second Rise: Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it. Place the loaf seam-side down into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing. This bread is best enjoyed warm to fully appreciate the melted cheese and herbed flavors.
Notes
- Ensure the water temperature is around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Kneading the dough well is essential for developing gluten, which results in a soft, elastic bread.
- The herb butter can be customized by adding other herbs like rosemary or thyme based on preference.
- For a crispier crust, place a pan of water in the oven during baking to create steam.
- Leftover bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Keywords: Italian bread, herb bread, cheese bread, garlic butter bread, homemade bread, savory bread, mozzarella bread
