Garlic And Herb Bread (Print)
Fluffy golden loaf with fresh herbs and aromatic garlic, perfect as a side or appetizer.
# Ingredient list:
→ 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
# Directions:
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 dough forms, then transfer to a lightly floured surface.
03 - Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Proper kneading develops gluten structure for a fluffy texture.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
05 - While dough rises, mix softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, rosemary, chives, pepper, and salt in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
06 - Punch down risen dough to release air. Roll out into a rectangle approximately 9 by 13 inches.
07 - Spread the garlic and herb butter evenly across the entire surface of the rolled dough.
08 - Roll the dough tightly from the short end. Place seam side down in a greased 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.
09 - Cover the pan and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F during the final 10 minutes of rising.
10 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is 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. Slice with a serrated knife and serve warm for best flavor.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dough comes together with basic pantry staples but tastes like something from a bakery
- You can customize the herbs based on what you have growing or languishing in your fridge
- It transforms simple weeknight meals into something that feels special and comforting
02 -
- The water temperature matters more than you think, too hot kills the yeast, too cold makes for a long, sluggish rise
- Letting the dough rise in a draft free spot makes a huge difference in how tall and fluffy your final loaf becomes
03 -
- Use a kitchen thermometer to check your water temperature the first few times until you learn the touch test
- If the dough feels too sticky while kneading, add just 1 tablespoon of flour at a time to avoid making the bread tough