Description
This Italian Herb and Cheese Bread is a fragrant and cheesy loaf infused with classic Italian herbs and topped with a golden butter crust. Perfect for accompanying pasta dishes or enjoying on its own as a savory snack, this easy homemade bread combines gooey mozzarella, sharp Parmesan, and aromatic Italian seasoning for a flavorful treat baked to perfection in the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Cheese and Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water and sugar, then sprinkle the active dry yeast over the surface. Let it sit for 5–7 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning to evenly distribute the herbs and spices throughout the flour.
- Mix Dough: Pour the foamy yeast mixture and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough begins to form and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Add Cheeses: Punch down the dough to release air. Knead in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese until they are evenly incorporated throughout the dough.
- Shape and Second Rise: Shape the dough into a loaf and place it into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise for another 30 minutes until puffed.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the top of the loaf with melted butter to ensure a golden crust. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, sprinkle the top with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Let the bread cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the water used to activate the yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Kneading the dough well develops gluten which is crucial for a good bread structure.
- Adding cheese directly into the dough creates pockets of melty cheese throughout the bread.
- Brush the loaf with butter before baking for a moist and flavorful crust.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to retain its shape and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian bread, herb bread, cheese bread, mozzarella, Parmesan, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, savory bread
