Swirled Garlic Herb Cheese Bread (Printable Recipe)

Golden bread swirled with garlic-herb butter, mozzarella, and cheddar for a comforting, savory side or snack.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 350 g all-purpose flour
02 - 7 g instant yeast
03 - 15 g granulated sugar
04 - 5 g fine sea salt
05 - 180 ml warm milk
06 - 40 g unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg

→ Garlic Herb Filling

08 - 60 g unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Cheese

13 - 120 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
14 - 60 g cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese, shredded

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add warm milk, melted butter, and the egg. Mix until a sticky dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured surface; knead for 8–10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm environment for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
02 - In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, oregano, basil, and salt. Mix until smooth and aromatic.
03 - On a lightly floured surface, roll risen dough into a rectangle approximately 30 x 40 cm. Evenly spread garlic herb butter over the entire surface. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar or Parmesan evenly over the buttered dough.
04 - Roll the dough tightly from the long side to form a log. With a sharp knife, slice the log lengthwise into two long strips. Twist strips around each other with cut sides facing up, revealing cheese and herbs, then transfer to a greased loaf pan or place free-form on a lined baking tray.
05 - Cover shaped dough and let rise for 30 minutes at room temperature.
06 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Bake loaf for 30 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is bubbling at the edges.
07 - Remove from oven, let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice and serve warm for best texture and flavor.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Allow the dough to rise fully for a lighter, more tender crumb and well-defined swirl.
02 - Use room temperature butter for easy spreading without tearing the dough.
03 - Wrap cooled bread in foil and store in an airtight container for freshness, or freeze up to two months.
04 - For variation, substitute fresh herbs for dried, or swap cheeses for gouda, provolone, or even blue cheese.