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Garlic Herb Bread

Linda M. Harris
Garlic Herb Bread is a warm, aromatic, and delicious homemade bread perfect for any occasion.
Soft, buttery, and infused with garlic and fresh herbs, this bread is sure to become a family favorite.
Whether enjoyed as a side dish, appetizer, or snack, it pairs beautifully with pasta, soup, or salads.
Best of all, it’s simple to make, requiring just a few staple ingredients and minimal hands-on time.
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Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 10 Slices
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl – 1
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer (optional)
  • Loaf pan or baking sheet (1)
  • Oven (1)
  • Small saucepan (1)
  • Brush for butter (1)
  • Knife or bread slicer (1)

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups 375 g Bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp Active dry yeast
  • 1 ½ cups 355 ml Warm water
  • 1 tsp 5 g Sugar
  • 1 tsp 5 g Salt
  • 3 tbsp 45 ml Olive oil (or melted butter)
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced (or 1 tbsp garlic powder)
  • 1 tbsp 15 ml Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp 15 ml Fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tsp 5 ml Fresh thyme, chopped
  • ½ tsp 2.5 ml Fresh oregano, chopped
  • 4 tbsp 60 g Unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup 50 g Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Dough

  • In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, then sprinkle in the yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until bubbly.
    In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring until a dough forms.
    Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 5 minutes.

First Rise

  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Prepare Garlic Herb Butter

  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the chopped herbs and salt.
    Let cool.

Shape the Dough

  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle.
    Brush with half of the garlic herb butter, spreading evenly. Optionally, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Second Rise

  • Roll the dough into a loaf or shape it into a rustic round loaf and place it on a greased baking sheet or into a greased loaf pan.
    Cover it loosely and let it rise for an additional 30–45 minutes.

Bake

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the top of the dough with the remaining garlic herb butter.
    Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant.
    For a crispier crust, leave the bread in for an additional 5 minutes.

Serve

  • Let the bread cool for a few minutes, slice, and enjoy while warm.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, replace butter with olive oil, and ensure no dairy cheese is used.
  • Feel free to add other herbs, such as rosemary or sage, to customize the flavor.
  • If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can substitute with dried herbs (just use 1/3 of the amount).
  • To make this bread extra cheesy, fold shredded cheese into the dough or sprinkle it on top before baking.
Keyword Garlic Herb Bread