Homemade Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe That Wows

Aromatic Italian herbs and cheese bread reimagines ordinary baking into a sensory celebration of rustic flavors.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire this delightful recipe that beckons home cooks with its irresistible warmth.

Rich, golden-crusted loaves promise a delectable journey through authentic taste experiences.

Fragrant herbs dance alongside melted cheese, creating complex layers of mouthwatering goodness.

Bakers who embrace bold ingredient combinations will find this recipe both approachable and exciting.

Crisp exterior and soft, pillowy interior guarantee a memorable bread that elevates any meal.

You’ll love how simple ingredients combine to produce something truly extraordinary.

Ways to Change Up Your Italian Bread Recipe

• Rustic Herb Swirl: Replace Italian seasoning with fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage. Fold chopped herbs directly into the dough during kneading for an aromatic country-style bread.
• Mediterranean Olive Loaf: Incorporate chopped kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese into the dough. Sprinkle za'atar seasoning on top before baking for a tangy Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Bread: Mix diced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese into the dough. Top with extra jalapeño slices and sharp cheddar for a kick of heat and extra cheesy texture.
• Whole Wheat Herbed Version: Substitute half the bread flour with whole wheat flour. Add sunflower seeds and dried oregano for a nutty, hearty bread with enhanced nutritional value.

Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread with Fragrant, Cheesy Crust

• Savor Herbal Aromas: Infused with classic Italian seasoning, this bread delivers an explosion of fragrant herbs that transport your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean countryside.
• Create Cheesy Comfort: Loaded with a generous blend of shredded cheeses, each slice offers a rich, melty texture that provides ultimate comfort and satisfying warmth in every bite.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: Perfect for home bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic mixing methods, making it an approachable and rewarding bread-making experience that builds kitchen confidence.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Whether served as a side for pasta, used for sandwiches, or enjoyed on its own, these herbed cheese bread logs adapt beautifully to multiple dining scenarios and will impress family and friends with minimal effort.

Everything You Need to Make Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread

• Bread Flour: Strong wheat flour perfect for bread making, providing structure and chewiness to the loaf.
• Warm Water: Essential liquid to activate yeast and help develop gluten in the dough.
• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial microorganism for bread rising, creating air pockets and flavor.

• Sugar: Helps feed the yeast and promotes beautiful golden-brown crust.
• Salt: Balances flavors and controls yeast fermentation.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle, aromatic flavor to the bread's surface.
• Italian Seasoning: Classic herb blend bringing Mediterranean taste and aroma.

• Unsalted Butter: Melted butter for brushing, adding richness and helping seasonings stick.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Provide melty, tangy flavor and create beautiful golden-brown topping.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Herbs and Cheese Bread

Step 1: Activate Yeast

In a stand mixer, combine warm water and yeast. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbling with life.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

• Sugar
• Salt
• Bread flour

Attach the dough hook and knead on low to medium speed for 10 minutes until the dough transforms into a smooth, elastic texture.

Step 3: Shape Bread Logs

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into four equal portions, gently rolling each piece into a beautiful bread log.

Step 4: Prepare for Rising

Place the bread logs on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them 4 inches apart. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise for 40 minutes, or until it dramatically doubles in size.

Step 5: Preheat and Prepare

Warm the oven to 375°F. This ensures the perfect baking environment for your bread.

Step 6: Score and Butter

Uncover the risen dough. Using a sharp knife, create three shallow cuts across the top of each log. Generously brush each log with melted butter.

Step 7: Season and Cheese

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

Generously distribute shredded cheese over the top of each bread log.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the cookie sheet onto the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Remove the bread from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to preserve its perfect texture.

Tips for a Crusty Outside and Soft Center

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water is warm (110-115°F) to wake up the yeast without killing it, creating a bubbly, active mixture.
• Knead with Confidence: Use a stand mixer's dough hook to develop gluten, resulting in a stretchy, smooth texture that guarantees soft bread.
• Strategic Rising Space: Allow ample room between bread logs for even expansion, preventing them from merging during the proofing process.
• Slice with Precision: Make shallow, angled cuts on bread logs to help them rise evenly and create an attractive, professional-looking surface.
• Cheese Distribution Trick: Sprinkle cheese evenly across the surface to ensure every slice gets a balanced, melty cheese experience.

How to Store and Reheat Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread

• Refrigerate: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
• Freeze: Slice bread, place parchment paper between layers, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Reheat: Warm slices in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, toast in a skillet with a touch of butter for a crispy exterior.

Sauces and Spreads to Pair with Herbs and Cheese Bread

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the herb-infused bread with a full-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which enhances the savory cheese and herb flavors.
• Create a Mediterranean Dipping Platter: Serve alongside extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a selection of marinated olives to elevate the bread's Italian-inspired profile.
• Match with Hearty Tomato Soup: The cheesy, herbed bread becomes a perfect dunking companion for a rich, warm tomato soup, creating a comforting and satisfying meal combination.
• Serve with Herb-Infused Butter: Whip softened butter with fresh basil, garlic, and a pinch of sea salt to provide an additional layer of herbal richness that complements the bread's existing seasonings.

Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rustic Italian herbs and cheese bread brings Mediterranean warmth to your kitchen. Fragrant rosemary, thyme, and parmesan create a sensory journey through Italian countryside traditions you’ll savor with each delectable slice.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4.5 cups bread flour
• 1.5 cups water (warm, 100-110°F)
• ½ cup monterey jack cheese (shredded)
• ½ cup parmesan cheese (shredded)

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Leavening and Binding Agents:

• 1.5 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water, allowing the mixture to foam and become fragrant for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Incorporate sugar, salt, and bread flour into the yeast mixture using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, kneading at low to medium speed until the dough transforms into a smooth, elastic consistency.
3. Transfer the developed dough onto a lightly floured workspace and partition it into four uniform segments.
4. Gently elongate each dough portion into rustic bread logs, positioning them strategically on a parchment-lined baking sheet with ample spacing between each loaf.
5. Drape a clean kitchen towel over the dough logs and permit them to undergo a gentle rising process for roughly 40 minutes, observing as they visibly expand and nearly double in volume.
6. Heat the oven to 375°F, preparing for the bread’s transformation.
7. Delicately score three shallow diagonal lines across the surface of each bread log using a sharp knife, then generously brush with melted butter to enhance golden potential.
8. Distribute garlic powder and Italian seasoning evenly across the loaves, followed by a lavish scattering of shredded cheeses to create a tantalizing topping.
9. Position the prepared loaves on the middle oven rack and bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until they achieve a rich, amber-golden complexion.
10. Remove from the oven and transition the freshly baked bread onto a cooling rack, allowing them to rest and settle before slicing into delectable portions.

Notes

• Activate yeast carefully in warm water to ensure proper bread rising and flavor development.
• Knead dough thoroughly until smooth and elastic for the best bread texture and structural integrity.
• Allow sufficient rising time to help dough double in size, creating light and airy bread loaves.
• Use parchment paper for easy bread removal and to prevent sticking to the baking sheet.
• Shallow slicing on top helps bread expand evenly and creates an attractive professional-looking surface.
• Cheese and herbs add delicious flavor layers, transforming basic bread into a gourmet experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg