Description

This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is a savory, aromatic bread perfect for appetizers or alongside meals. Featuring a soft dough infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and a blend of mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses, this bread offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The bread is twisted into an attractive swirl, baked to golden perfection, and served warm to highlight the melty cheese and fragrant herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 ¼ cups warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Garlic Herb Butter

4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
4 tablespoons butter

Cheese Mixture

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast and sugar in warm water. Let the mixture sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
Form Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Knead the ingredients together until a soft, elastic dough forms, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes in a stand mixer.
First Rise: Cover the dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs, sautéing just until fragrant—about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Roll Dough and Add Filling: On a lightly floured surface, roll the risen dough into a rectangle. Evenly spread the garlic herb butter over the dough, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly on top.
Shape the Bread: Roll the dough up jelly-roll style from the long edge, then carefully slice the roll lengthwise down the middle, exposing the layers. Twist the two halves around each other to create a swirl pattern.
Second Rise: Place the twisted dough into a greased baking pan. Cover and let it rise for another 30 minutes to puff up.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top and cooked through.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm to enjoy the melted cheese and aromatic herbs at their best.

Notes

You can customize the herbs based on preference—thyme, rosemary, and parsley all work well.
For extra crispness, brush the top with a little olive oil or melted butter before baking.
This bread is best enjoyed the day it’s made but can be reheated in the oven wrapped in foil.
Make sure your water for activating yeast is warm (not hot) to avoid killing the yeast—about 100-110°F is ideal.
Use a sharp knife to slice the bread for cleaner cuts and to preserve the swirl pattern.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: garlic bread, herb bread, cheese bread, swirled bread, appetizer, homemade bread, cheesy garlic bread