Italian Herbs Cheese Bread is a homemade cheesy delight with a fragrant crust and tender crumb. It’s perfect for a quick prep and delivers a savory aroma for a family-friendly meal.
Author:Robert
Prep Time:45 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:2 hours 15 minutes
Yield:1 loaf 1x
Category:Bread
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
3 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for extra chew)
1 cup warm water (110–115°F/43–46°C)
2 teaspoons sugar or honey
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1–2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
2–3 tablespoons melted butter
1 clove garlic, minced
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, whisk warm water with sugar until dissolved. Sprinkle in the yeast and let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and Italian seasoning. Add most of the fresh parsley now and reserve a little for later.
Combine wet and dry: Pour the foamy yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead until smooth: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First rise: Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough inside, cover, and let it rise for about 60–70 minutes until doubled in size.
Prep the cheese-herb filling: Mix mozzarella, Parmesan, chopped parsley, and a pinch more Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
Shape the loaf: Deflate the risen dough, roll it into a rectangle, sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over it, roll it up tightly, and seal the seam.
Second rise: Place the shaped loaf on a baking sheet, cover loosely, and let rise for 25–40 minutes until puffy.
Bake to golden goodness: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and cheese is melted.
Finish with garlic butter: Brush the top with garlic butter as soon as it comes out of the oven.
Rest and slice: Let the loaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing thickly.