Description
Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a savory, aromatic loaf filled with mozzarella, Parmesan, and classic Italian herbs. This flavorful homemade bread is perfect for dipping in soups, pairing with pasta, or simply enjoying on its own.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour (360 grams)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional:
Extra herbs or cheese for topping
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, sugar, salt, basil, oregano, and thyme in a large bowl.
- Activate Yeast: Dissolve yeast in warm water (110°F/45°C) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Form the Dough: Add olive oil and yeast mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Incorporate Cheese: Gently fold in mozzarella and Parmesan. Knead briefly to incorporate.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Shape and Second Rise: Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf, and place in a greased loaf pan. Let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool slightly, then slice. Optionally, brush with butter and top with additional Parmesan before serving.
Notes
For fresh herbs, triple the amount for a more vibrant flavor.
For gooey cheese, use fresh mozzarella.
For a more flavorful twist, add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted garlic to the dough.
To make this bread in a bread machine, use the dough setting and add cheese during the last kneading cycle.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
