Garlic and Herb Bread (Print View)
Fluffy golden loaf with fresh herbs and aromatic garlic, perfect as a side or appetizer.
# 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
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine sugar, yeast, and warm water in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture 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 and all flour is incorporated.
03 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. The dough should bounce back when pressed.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 hour until doubled in size.
05 - While dough rises, mix softened butter, garlic, parsley, rosemary, chives, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
06 - Punch down risen dough to release air. Roll out on a lightly floured surface into approximately a 9x13-inch rectangle.
07 - Spread garlic and herb butter evenly over the rolled dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
08 - Roll up dough tightly from the short end. Pinch seam to seal and place, seam side down, in a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.
09 - Cover loaf pan loosely with plastic wrap or towel. Let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F during the final 10 minutes of rising.
10 - Bake for 30–35 minutes until deep golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on top. Internal temperature should reach 190°F.
11 - Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice with a serrated knife and serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The way buttery garlic and fresh herbs weave through every tender bite makes even simple weeknight dinners feel like a special occasion
- This bread has this incredible ability to disappear the moment it hits the table, leaving people searching for that last slice
02 -
- Water that's too hot will kill your yeast, and water that's too cold won't wake it up—think bath temperature
- Letting the butter soften properly before mixing prevents tearing the dough when you spread it
03 -
- Letting the dough rest for 10 minutes after the first punch-down makes it much easier to roll out without springing back
- Brushing the top with a little milk or egg wash before baking gives you that gorgeous golden shine