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Garlic Herb Swirl Bread Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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