Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread
A warm and flavorful homemade bread infused with Italian herbs and stuffed with gooey cheese, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F) Warm but not boiling.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil Plus extra for dusting.
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour in the warm water and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Kneading
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
Adding Cheese
- Fold in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan until well incorporated.
Rising
- Dust a clean bowl with olive oil and place your dough in it, covering with a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Once risen, punch the dough down and shape it into a loaf, then place it in a greased loaf pan. Let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
Cooling
- Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
Notes
For a perfect crust, place a small oven-safe dish filled with water on the bottom rack during baking. This adds steam to the oven.