Garlic Herb Swirl Bread Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Herb Swirl Bread is a fragrant, soft loaf filled with a flavorful blend of fresh herbs and garlic. Perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or just enjoying on its own, this bread offers a delightful homemade touch to any meal.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
• 1.5 cups warm water (110°F)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Allow it to sit for about 5-10 minutes or until frothy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture along with the softened butter.
3. Step 3: Using your hands or a wooden spoon, mix until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Step 5: While the dough rises, prepare the garlic herb filling. In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, chopped herbs, black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
6. Step 6: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle about 12×18 inches.
7. Step 7: Spread the garlic herb mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border along the edges.
8. Step 8: Starting from one of the longer edges, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seams to seal.
9. Step 9: Slice the log into 1-inch thick rounds and place them in a greased baking dish, cut side up.
10. Step 10: Cover the rolls with a kitchen towel and let rise for another 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
11. Step 11: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
12. Step 12: Allow bread to cool slightly before serving, pulling apart the rolls to enjoy the swirl of herbs and garlic.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, brush the rolls with melted butter immediately after baking.
• Try adding grated Parmesan or mozzarella cheese to the herb mixture for a cheesy twist.
• Use dried herbs if fresh ones are unavailable, but reduce the amount by half to avoid overpowering the bread.
• Ensure your water is not too hot when activating the yeast to prevent killing it.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the rolls in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in a warm oven or microwave before serving to restore freshness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast. Use about 2 teaspoons of instant yeast and mix it directly with the flour instead of dissolving it in warm water.

How do I know when the bread is done baking?

The bread should be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped. You can also check with an instant thermometer; the internal temperature should reach around 190°F (88°C).

Garlic Herb Swirl Bread Recipe

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4.9 from 53 reviews

Garlic Herb Swirl Bread is a delightful homemade yeast bread infused with fresh garlic and a medley of fragrant herbs. Soft, buttery, and bursting with savory flavors, this pull-apart bread is perfect as a side dish or snack. Its beautiful herb swirl and golden crust make it as visually appealing as it is delicious.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours (including rising times)
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
• 1.5 cups warm water (110°F)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Garlic Herb Filling

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture along with softened butter. Use hands or a wooden spoon to mix until a sticky dough forms.
3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, developing the gluten structure for the bread.
4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Prepare Filling: While the dough rises, combine minced garlic, chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl to make the herb filling.
6. Shape Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12×18 inch rectangle.
7. Spread Filling: Evenly spread the garlic herb mixture over the entire dough surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
8. Roll Dough: Carefully roll the dough from one of the longer edges into a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal the roll tightly so the filling stays inside.
9. Slice Rolls: Slice the rolled log into 1-inch thick rounds and place them cut side up in a greased baking dish, arranging evenly.
10. Second Rise: Cover the rolls with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C).
11. Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through.
12. Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool slightly before serving. Pull apart the rolls to reveal the gorgeous herb and garlic swirl inside.

Notes

• The water used to activate yeast should be warm but not hot; around 110°F is ideal to prevent yeast from dying.
• For extra flavor and richness, brush melted butter on top of the rolls before baking.
• This bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried herbs, use about 1 teaspoon each if dried.
• If preferred, add grated Parmesan cheese to the filling for a cheesy twist.

Keywords: garlic herb bread, swirl bread, homemade bread, pull-apart bread, herb bread, garlic bread recipe