Description
This Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread is a flavorful and aromatic homemade bread featuring a blend of dried herbs, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese. Perfectly soft with a golden crust, it is ideal for serving alongside soups, salads, or as a delicious snack with melted butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (about 100-110°F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 to 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated
Topping Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter (split for topping)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for greasing the baking sheet)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large bowl and let it sit for a minute until foamy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready for use.
- Mix Herbs and Garlic: Stir in salt, dried basil, dried oregano, dried rosemary, and finely chopped garlic into the yeast mixture until everything is well blended.
- Add Flour and Cheese: Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl, mixing to form a sticky dough.
- Knead Dough: Gradually add more flour while mixing until the dough becomes soft, stretchy, and no longer too sticky to handle.
- First Rise: Lightly oil a bowl and place the dough inside, then cover it with a towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise for about an hour until doubled in size, allowing the yeast to ferment and the dough to expand.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking sheet with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Shape Dough: Gently punch down the risen dough to release air, divide it into two equal balls, and shape each into rounds. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the dough rounds loosely and let them rise for an additional 15-20 minutes, allowing them to puff up.
- Butter Topping: Brush half a tablespoon of melted butter on top of each dough round before baking to promote browning and add flavor.
- Bake Bread: Bake the rounds in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom, signaling they are fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack, and allow to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with additional butter or alongside soup for a comforting treat.
Notes
- Warm water temperature is crucial to activating yeast effectively; too hot can kill the yeast and too cold may prevent proofing.
- If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you may lightly sauté the garlic before mixing it in to mellow the sharpness.
- Use fresh herbs if available for a more vibrant taste; adjust quantities accordingly.
- Parmesan cheese adds salty, nutty flavor—feel free to substitute with Pecorino Romano if desired.
- Ensure the dough is not too dry or overly sticky by gradually adjusting flour amounts as needed while kneading.
- You can add seeds or sprinkle extra herbs on top before baking for decorative and flavor enhancements.
- This bread is best enjoyed the day it is baked but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: garlic bread, herb bread, Parmesan bread, homemade bread, Italian bread, savory bread, garlic Parmesan, easy bread recipe
