Description
This Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread recipe features a soft, flavorful homemade bread infused with aromatic herbs, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly golden and crusty on the outside with a tender crumb inside, these bread rounds are ideal for pairing with soups, salads, or enjoying as a savory snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 to 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (about 100-110°F)
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (split for topping)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large bowl and let it sit for a minute until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Mix in Seasonings and Garlic: Stir in salt, dried basil, dried oregano, dried rosemary, and finely chopped garlic until everything is well blended.
- Create Dough Base: Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and the grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl and mix to form a sticky dough.
- Knead Dough: Gradually add more flour while mixing until the dough becomes soft, elastic, and slightly sticky yet manageable.
- First Rise: Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the dough inside. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm area for about one hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). 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 portions and shape each into a round loaf. Place loaves on the prepared baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the dough rounds loosely and let them rise for an additional 15-20 minutes to puff up slightly.
- Butter Topping: Brush half a tablespoon of melted butter on the top of each dough round to promote browning and add flavor.
- Bake Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until the loaves develop a golden crust and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and transfer the breads to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with additional butter or alongside your favorite soup.
Notes
- Use warm water between 100-110°F to ensure yeast activates properly; water too hot can kill the yeast.
- If the dough is too sticky to handle, add flour gradually but avoid adding too much to keep bread tender.
- For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of garlic powder or more Parmesan on top before baking.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container and consume within 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- For a crisper crust, bake on a preheated baking stone if available.
