Swirled Garlic Herb Cheese Bread (Print-Friendly Format)

Golden bread swirled with garlic, herbs, and mozzarella, perfect warm from the oven or alongside pasta.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 240 ml warm milk
02 - 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 56 g unsalted butter, softened
06 - 440 g all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Filling

08 - 28 g unsalted butter
09 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, or rosemary)
11 - 200 g shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Egg Wash

12 - 1 large egg
13 - 1 tablespoon water

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Incorporate eggs, softened butter, all-purpose flour, and salt into the yeast mixture. Knead until smooth and elastic, then cover and allow to rise in a warm area for 1 hour.
03 - Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in chopped fresh herbs and set aside to cool.
04 - Roll the risen dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Evenly brush with garlic herb butter and scatter shredded mozzarella across the surface.
05 - Gently roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp knife, slice lengthwise and twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing up.
06 - Transfer the twisted loaf to a greased pan. Cover and allow to rise for 30 to 40 minutes.
07 - Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Brush loaf with egg wash. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
08 - Cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm for optimal texture.

# Extra Tips:

01 - For enhanced flavor, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the loaf before baking.
02 - Cool the bread slightly before slicing to maintain clean layers.
03 - If substituting dried herbs, use no more than 2 teaspoons in total.