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
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)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water, allowing the mixture to foam and become fragrant for approximately 10 minutes.
- 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.
- Transfer the developed dough onto a lightly floured workspace and partition it into four uniform segments.
- Gently elongate each dough portion into rustic bread logs, positioning them strategically on a parchment-lined baking sheet with ample spacing between each loaf.
- 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.
- Heat the oven to 375°F, preparing for the bread’s transformation.
- 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.
- Distribute garlic powder and Italian seasoning evenly across the loaves, followed by a lavish scattering of shredded cheeses to create a tantalizing topping.
- Position the prepared loaves on the middle oven rack and bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until they achieve a rich, amber-golden complexion.
- 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