Garlic Herb Swirl Bread Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Herb Swirl Bread is a fragrant and flavorful homemade bread perfect for sharing. Soft, buttery rolls are infused with garlic and fresh herbs, making it an irresistible addition to any meal or as a tasty snack.

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 tops of the rolls with melted butter right after baking.
• Swap fresh herbs for dried ones if necessary, but reduce quantities by half as dried herbs are more concentrated.
• Add a little grated Parmesan cheese in the garlic herb mixture for extra savory notes.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep it longer, freeze the rolls in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to restore freshness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, bread flour can be used and may result in a slightly chewier texture due to its higher protein content.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs on hand?

You can substitute dried herbs, using about half the amount called for fresh herbs to avoid overpowering the bread.

Garlic Herb Swirl Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 143 reviews

This Garlic Herb Swirl Bread is a delightful homemade bread featuring a soft, fluffy texture infused with a savory blend of garlic, fresh parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Perfect for serving alongside meals or enjoying as a flavorful snack, this bread showcases an aromatic herb swirl that fills each bite with fragrant, buttery goodness.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough

• 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

For the 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 the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
2. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Make a well in the center, then pour in the yeast mixture along with the softened butter. Mix using your hands or a wooden spoon until a dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Transfer dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, developing the gluten for structure and texture.
4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm environment for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
5. Prepare the Garlic Herb Filling: While the dough is rising, mix minced garlic, chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl to create a fragrant filling.
6. Roll Out the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down gently and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle approximately 12×18 inches in size.
7. Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the garlic herb mixture over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out during rolling.
8. Form the Roll: Starting from one of the longer edges, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seams to seal the roll firmly, ensuring the filling stays inside.
9. Slice the Bread Rolls: Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled dough into 1-inch thick rounds and arrange them cut side up in a greased baking dish to retain their shape during baking.
10. Second Rise: Cover the rolls with a kitchen towel and allow them to rise again for 30 minutes, letting them become puffy and light before baking. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
11. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
12. Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Pull apart the rolls to reveal the beautiful garlic herb swirl inside and enjoy warm.

Notes

• Ensure water used for yeast activation is warm (about 110°F) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Fresh herbs provide the best flavor but dried herbs can be used; reduce quantity by half if using dried.
• Allow the dough to rise in a draft-free, warm place for best results.
• If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you can increase the minced garlic by 1-2 cloves.
• Store leftover bread in an airtight container to maintain freshness, and reheat gently before serving.

Keywords: Garlic Herb Bread, Swirl Bread, Homemade Bread, Garlic Bread, Herb Bread, Soft Bread Rolls