Description
A soft, flavorful garlic herb cheddar cheese bread that combines a blend of Italian herbs and three kinds of cheese, perfect for serving warm as a savory side or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup warm whole milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 large eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/2 – 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Cheeses
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Flavorings
- 1/3 cup chopped Italian herbs such as sage, oregano, basil, and thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the warm milk, yeast, and honey. Let sit for 10 minutes until bubbly on top to activate the yeast.
- Mix Dough: Add the eggs, 3 1/2 cups flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with the dough hook for 4-5 minutes until the flour is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth. Add up to 1/2 cup more flour if the dough remains sticky until it is smooth to touch.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling: In a separate bowl, combine shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, chopped Italian herbs, and grated garlic.
- Shape Dough: Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12 x 18-inch rectangle. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the dough. Starting from the long edge closest to you, roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seam to seal.
- Cut and Twist: Using a sharp knife, cut the log lengthwise in half, leaving one end intact. Turn the halves outward to expose the filling and cross the dough ropes over each other, twisting repeatedly to create a long twisted braid.
- Form Circle: Coil the twisted dough into a circular shape and transfer carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Bake Bread: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake the bread for 35 minutes until the top is golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Serve: Slice the bread and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make sure the milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- If you want extra herb flavor, you can mix some herbs into the dough as well.
- For a crispier crust, bake on a pizza stone or place a tray of water in the oven to create steam.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other mild melting cheeses if desired.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to avoid squishing the soft texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
