Swirled Garlic Herb And Cheese Bread Recipe
Introduction
Soft, fluffy, and packed with buttery garlic goodness, this Swirled Garlic Herb And Cheese Bread is a perfect appetizer or side for any meal. Its rich combination of fresh herbs and melted cheeses creates an irresistible swirl that everyone will love.

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
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit until frothy, about 5-10 minutes.
- Step 2: Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Knead until a soft dough forms, about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a mixer.
- Step 3: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Step 4: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and fresh herbs, sautéing until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 5: Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle.
- Step 6: Spread the garlic herb butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses across the surface.
- Step 7: Roll up the dough jelly-roll style, then slice it lengthwise to expose the layers. Twist the two halves around each other gently.
- Step 8: Place the twisted dough into a greased pan. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Step 9: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 10: Let the bread cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use a mix of your favorite fresh herbs or dried herbs if fresh aren’t available.
- Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil and choose vegan cheeses.
- Make smaller individual loaves for easy sharing and serving.
Storage
Store leftover bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm slices in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes until heated through. You can also freeze the bread wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Use the same amount but mix it directly with the flour rather than dissolving it first in water.
What type of cheese works best for this bread?
This recipe uses mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan for a balanced melt and flavor. You can substitute or add other cheeses like fontina or provolone based on your preference.
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Swirled Garlic Herb And Cheese Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 10 slices) 1x
Description
Soft, fluffy, and packed with buttery garlic goodness, this Swirled Garlic Herb And Cheese Bread features a fragrant blend of fresh herbs and three types of cheese rolled into a delicious yeast bread. Perfect as an appetizer or alongside your favorite meals, it boasts a golden crust and a rich, cheesy swirl with vibrant garlic herb butter.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 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
Cheeses
- 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 the warm water. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Knead the ingredients together until a soft, elastic dough forms, either by hand or using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Prepare garlic herb butter: While the dough is rising, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs, sautéing gently until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Roll out dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle.
- Assemble bread: Evenly spread the garlic herb butter over the rolled-out dough. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly on top.
- Shape the loaf: Roll the dough up tightly in a jelly-roll style starting from one long side. Slice the rolled dough lengthwise into two halves. Twist the two halves together, keeping the cut sides facing up to showcase the cheese swirl.
- Second rise: Place the twisted loaf in a greased baking pan and cover. Allow it to rise another 30 minutes in a warm place until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Slice and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a stronger garlic flavor, add a little roasted garlic to the herb butter.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with 1 tablespoon of dried herbs if fresh are unavailable.
- Use a kitchen towel or plastic wrap to cover dough during rising to prevent drying out.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to avoid the cheese running out.
- Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: garlic bread, herb bread, cheesy bread, appetizer, homemade bread, artisan bread

