Garlic and Herb Bread (Print Version)
Fluffy golden loaf with fresh herbs and aromatic garlic, ideal as a side or appetizer for any meal.
# What You Need:
→ Bread Dough
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
03 - 1 tsp sugar
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 1 cup warm water (110°F)
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Garlic and Herb Mixture
07 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
08 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
11 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
12 - ½ tsp black pepper
13 - ¼ tsp salt
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Combine sugar, yeast, and warm water in a large bowl. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
02 - Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
03 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes, pushing the dough away with the heel of your hand and folding it back, until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
05 - While dough rises, mix softened butter, garlic, parsley, rosemary, chives, pepper, and salt in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
06 - Punch down the risen dough to release air. Roll out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle approximately 9x13 inches.
07 - Spread the garlic and herb butter evenly over the entire surface of the rolled dough.
08 - Starting from a short end, roll the dough tightly into a log. Place seam side down in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
09 - Cover the pan and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F during the final 10 minutes of rising.
10 - Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11 - Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice with a serrated knife and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The garlic herb aroma fills your entire house and draws everyone to the kitchen like magic
- Each slice has those perfect swirls of buttery herb goodness that make store bought bread seem completely ordinary
02 -
- The water must be warm not hot or you will kill the yeast and your bread will never rise properly
- Letting the dough double in size is non negotiable for that light fluffy texture we all love
03 -
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure the dough rises properly and the butter spreads evenly
- Kneading for the full time develops gluten which gives the bread structure and chewiness