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Cheesy Garlic Herb Swirl Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 37 reviews
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices) 1x
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Cheesy Garlic Herb Swirl Bread is a soft, fluffy pull-apart bread filled with a rich garlic-herb butter and melty cheeses. The bread features beautiful savory swirls in every slice, offering a comforting bakery-style treat perfect for weekend baking, holiday tables, or as a delicious accompaniment to pasta nights. The recipe is easy to follow, beginner-friendly, and requires mostly hands-off rising time.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 large egg

For the Garlic Herb Cheese Filling

  • 4 tablespoons softened butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or parmesan

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–7 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
  2. Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Stir until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–6 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
  4. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  5. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt to make the garlic herb butter.
  6. Roll it out: Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 10×15-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
  7. Spread the filling and cheese: Evenly spread the garlic herb butter mixture over the rolled-out dough, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.
  8. Create the swirl: Roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seam closed. Slice the log lengthwise to expose the cheese swirls inside.
  9. Shape the loaf: Twist the two halves together with the cut sides facing up to showcase the beautiful swirl pattern, then place the twisted log into a greased loaf pan.
  10. Bake: Bake the bread in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
  11. Cool and serve: Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm for the best cheesy pull-apart experience.

Notes

  • Use warm milk at about 110°F to ensure proper yeast activation without killing the yeast.
  • Kneading is essential to develop the gluten structure for a soft, fluffy bread.
  • Rolling and twisting the dough creates the signature swirl and pull-apart texture.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cheese with vegan alternatives.
  • Store leftover bread wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • Adjust garlic amount according to your taste preference.

Find it online: https://recipes.mbeams.com/cheesy-garlic-herb-swirl-bread-recipe/