One of my favorite things is fresh made bread. I grew up in a house where my mom always made homemade bread. (like daily since there were 8 people in my family) The smell of baking bread, and melting some butter on a fresh hot slice, oh man what’s not to love. So I have been playing around with our favorite classic bread recipe and I thought I would share our favorite variation. Cheese and herbs swirled throughout yummy fresh bread. Seriously it’s soon good! (and easy to make so don’t be afraid)
For the dough:
- 1 TBS + 1 1/2 tsp. Dry Active Yeast
- 2 1/4 cups Warm Water (110 degrees)
- 2 tsp Honey
- 3 TBS Honey
- 4 TBS Melted Butter
- 7 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 4 tsp Salt
For the filling:
- 2 TBS Melted Butter
- 2 TBS Dried Parsley
- 2 TBS Dried Basil
- 1 TBS Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp Onion Powder
- 4 TBS Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Makes 2 5X9″ loafs
To start proof the yeast. This is really important because if it doesn’t work, then your bread won’t work and you will ruin all of your ingredients.
Take 1/2 cup water and heat it up to 110 degrees. (or between 100-110 but be sure its not hotter or colder than that) Use a thermometer to check the temp since the yeast is picky. Add the 2 tsp. of honey to the water and stir to dissolve. I often use the honey to help cool the water since heating it too much and letting it cool is easier than getting it perfect. Than sprinkle in the yeast, and stir to dissolve. Then let it sit for 5 min. You want the yeast mixture to foam and grow, that’s how you know your yeast is good. If it doesn’t foam, throw it out and start over.
Tip I like the yeast in the jar over the packets since more often the packets are dead when I try but the jar seems to stay active longer. Also I keep it in the freezer, instead of the fridge.
Now in a mixing bowl using a regular paddle attachment, add the melted butter, and the 3TBS of honey, the remaining 1 3/4 cups warm water, 3 cups of flour, and the yeast mixture.
Mix on low speed until the mixture is smooth.
Then add in the remaining 4 cups of flour and the salt. Mix just until combined.
Now switch to a dough hook and mix on low for 5 min. OR turn the dough out on the counter and knead the dough for 5 min. Either way you want the dough to look smooth and ball like.
Then smooth the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Let it sit in a warm place until it’s doubled in size. (about 30 min) If your room is cool it may take longer but as long as your yeast was nice and foamy it will rise. I place my dough in the sun or near the fireplace to help is rise quickly. A warm but OFF oven also works. Once it has doubled punch it down and roll it out on the counter. Divide the dough in 2.
Now mix all of the dry ingredients for the filing (so everything but the butter)
Roll out one of the balls of dough so it it long and about 8″ in width and 1/2″ thick.
Brush with the melted butter.
Sprinkle and spread the herb mixture.
Top with cheese.
Then roll the dough up with a tight roll. Pinch the ends so the swirl is closed.
Place the loaf into a greased 9X5 loaf pan. Then brush the top with melted butter.
Let the loaf rise (again in a warm place) until the dough it
Bake in an oven at 400 degrees for 30 min, or until nice and golden. Rotate the pan halfway through the cooking. Then let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 min.
Flip the bread out of the pan. Once the bread is cool enough to handle you may slice it.
Then devour it. It’s good with butter but it’s so good you don’t even need it.
You can sub out the filling for other great fillings, another family favorite is 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 2TBS of cinnamon, it’s great for breakfast. Mozzarella cheese and pepperoni makes a great meal. (use pizza sauce in place of butter)
I often make one loaf sweet and one loaf savory.
FAQs
A great way to add flavor to home-baked bread is to use a variety of herbs and spices. Whether you're looking to use up extra basil or rosemary before it loses flavor or interested in bringing cloves, nutmeg, or poppy seeds into your bread baking, there are many possibilities and inspirational recipes.
Is it better to use fresh or dried herbs in bread? ›
You might be wondering if you should use dry or fresh herbs in this recipe or others. Fresh or dry herbs work equally well in bread recipes. Ensure you increase the amount of fresh herbs used (see instructions below).
What makes bread super soft and fluffy? ›
Well it's simple, bread flour has an increased amount of protein or more gluten which results in a lighter, fluffier dough which produces a less dense finished product. All-purpose flour can be used for bread but bread flour is always better if your goal is a “fluffier” bread.
Is Italian herbs and cheese bread being discontinued? ›
Hi Selena, no need to worry. We'd like to reaffirm that Italian Herb & Cheese bread has not been discontinued.
What is the fluffy Italian bread called? ›
Focaccia is ½" to 1" thick with a light crust on the top and bottom. It's often described as "flatbread" or "Italian flat bread," but unlike the flat bread we're used to, it isn't flat at all, but thick and fluffy. The "flat" term in question simply refers to the pan in which it's baked compared to other breads.
What do you sprinkle on bread before baking? ›
Topping bread dough with seeds and grains is a simple and effective way to increase the nutrition, flavor, and texture in a baked loaf of bread.
How do you make bread taste like a bakery? ›
Sweeteners such as malt and honey are used to add flavor to bread dough. Malt, which is available in powder and liquid form, can be added to almost any bread. It's important to use a nondiastatic version, though, as diastatic malt has active enzymes, which, in excess, will make dough extremely sticky.
What are the three most important ingredients in bread? ›
The principal ingredients in all bread are:
Spices: Adding spices like cumin, coriander, or fennel seeds can give bread a unique and delicious taste. Cheese: Grated cheese, such as cheddar, can be added to the dough to make cheese bread. Seeds: Adding seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, or sesame seeds can add a nice crunch and flavor to bread.
What can I add to bread to make it taste better? ›
Several tasty ingredients like honey, olives and even bananas are used regularly to ramp up the classic bread recipe's flavor. Not only are these ingredients delicious, but when chosen wisely, they can also boost your bread's nutritional value.
What can I add to home made bread to "spice it up"? Olive pieces, basil, garlic powder or fresh. thyme, rosemary. You can also add cheese or dry tomatoes some people add onions.
How do bakeries get their bread so soft? ›
Commercial bread is softer due to the steam process used by bakeries, which is made to keep bread hydrated and fresh. Use cold water in a pan and put it on a rack beneath your bread to create steam.
Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›
Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.
Why is store bought bread softer than homemade? ›
Many of these breads, especially packaged ones, are made with a ton of chemical additives such as calcium propionate, amylase, and chlorine dioxide which help keep them soft, light, and fluffy for days.
What does Italian herb and cheese bread taste like? ›
Italian Herb and Cheese
True to its name, it has a distinct herbal taste with a more subtle cheese flavor. The melted cheese, as in the Monterey Cheddar, adds a bit of crunch to the bread, which is otherwise soft. This bread is particularly great with Italian sandwiches but can add a bit of spice to any sub.
What makes Italian bread different from regular bread? ›
Italian bread often contains a bit of milk or olive oil, and sometimes a bit of sugar. French bread tends to be longer and narrower. Italian bread loaves tend to be shorter and plumper. French bread tends to be hard and crusty on the outside, with a light and soft crumb.
Which Subway bread is healthiest? ›
Generally, Subway's “Hearty Multigrain” is going to be the healthiest choice. Compared to the Artisan Italian, Italian Herbs and Cheese, Jalapeño and Cheddar, Flatbreads and Wraps, it's a lower calorie option and notably has a touch more fiber and protein.
What does Italian bread have in it? ›
Italian bread dough is typically wetter than other doughs because it uses more liquid (water or milk) and fat (butter or olive oil). Despite its savory flavor, many Italian bread recipes do use sugar. Traditionally, Italian bread is baked on a stone to give it that signature thin crisp crust, golden brown in color.
