Name: Rustic Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons dried rosemary; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 cup warm water (100-110℉); 6 cloves minced garlic; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter

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Introduction

This Rustic Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread is a fragrant and flavorful loaf perfect for any meal. With a crispy crust, tender crumb, and a delicious blend of garlic, parmesan, and herbs, it’s sure to become a kitchen favorite.

The image shows three slices of herb bread stacked close together on a wooden surface, with the front slice spread with creamy white butter speckled with small green herbs. The bread has a light brown, slightly crunchy crust and a soft, porous inside with visible bits of black and green herbs. A silver butter knife with some butter on its blade rests diagonally on the buttered slice. There are small chopped green herbs scattered around the bread on the wooden surface. The background shows a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 cup warm water (100-110℉)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
6 cloves minced garlic
2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir in the salt, dried rosemary, dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic until fully mixed.
Step 2: Add 2 cups of flour and the grated parmesan cheese to the bowl. Stir until a rough dough forms. Gradually add the remaining flour, a little at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky.
Step 3: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drizzle a baking sheet with the olive oil.
Step 5: Once the dough has risen, divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a round loaf and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and let the loaves rise again for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 6: Top each loaf with a half tablespoon piece of butter.
Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 8: Remove the loaves from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips & Variations

For extra garlic flavor, brush the loaves with garlic butter before baking.
Swap dried herbs for fresh ones, using about three times the quantity for a brighter taste.
Try adding chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes to the dough for a savory twist.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, freeze the bread tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to refresh the crust.

How to Serve

The image shows three slices of soft bread stacked on a wooden board, with the top slice spread with a creamy white layer of herb butter speckled with green herbs. The bread is light beige with small holes and specks of green herbs inside, and the crust is golden brown. A shiny metal knife with some herb butter on its blade lies diagonally across the top slice. Small bits of chopped green herbs are scattered around the bread on the board. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, but you’ll need to activate the active dry yeast first by dissolving it in warm water with a pinch of sugar and letting it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

The bread should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. An internal temperature of about 200°F (93°C) is also a good indicator if you use a thermometer.