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Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread

A delicious homemade loaf infused with Italian herbs and melted cheese, perfect for any meal or as a snack.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Bread, Snack
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (480 grams)
  • 1.5 cups warm water (360 ml, about 110°F or 43°C)
  • 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (6 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme) (10 grams, mixed)
Cheese Ingredients
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (100 grams)
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 grams)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Combine warm water and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Whisk together all-purpose flour, salt, and Italian herbs in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. On a floured surface, knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Flatten the dough and fold in shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
  6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
Baking
  1. Form the dough into a round boule and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  2. Let the shaped dough rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed up.
  3. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  4. Make shallow slashes on the surface of the dough.
  5. Place the bread in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).
  6. Let it cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Keep dough covered during rises to prevent it from drying out. Use fresh herbs for a burst of flavor and swap cheeses for a unique twist. Don’t skip rise time for the best texture.