Flavorful Fresh Herb Bread Recipe

In our house, bread is a staple. This Flavorful Fresh Herb Bread Recipe is a favorite, especially to serve with soup and salad. Not only does it taste amazing with the combination of herbs and other flavors, but it is also beautiful with the swirls in it.   

Don't worry if you have never made swirled bread before, they are easier than you might think, and I am here to show you exactly how to create this stunning bread.  

If you are looking for soup ideas to serve with the bread, I have those too! 

Ingredients

• White wheat flour- My family loves this milder wheat in breads. 
• Bread flour- you can also use all-purpose flour, but I prefer the higher-protein bread flour instead. 
• Active dry yeast- More on how to check for the freshness of your yeast in this post.
• Sugar- I only use a little, but the sweetness adds to the overall quality and taste of the bread. 
• Salt- I love using kosher salt in my recipes. 
• Olive oil- I use olive oil in the bread dough. 
• Fresh herbs- I used a blend of fresh basil, thyme, and oregano. 
• Minced garlic- What is herb bread without it??
• Parmesan cheese- You can also use romano if you like. 
• Butter- Butter, herbs, garlic, and cheese are a combination you cannot go wrong with. 

How to make

Making the whole wheat dough

This bread-making technique is called the straight dough method. It is a simple process where almost everything for the dough is added in at once. Let me show you how this is done. 

Start by activating the yeast. Do this by gently mixing the warm water, yeast, and sugar in your mixing bowl. Let this sit for about 5 minutes, this will activate the yeast. 

When it is ready, to the yeast mixture, add in the flour, eggs, salt, and olive oil. 

Mix this for one minute and check the hydration. The dough should feel just slightly tacky (moist). If you need to, add a little more water or flour to the dough, about 2 tablespoons at a time. 

Once the dough is good, set it to mix on medium speed for 7-8 minutes. This will result in a soft dough and a smooth dough. 

Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it is just about doubled. Mine took about 45 minutes. This is the first rise, but note that rise times will vary depending on the temperature and humidity in your home.  

Making the herb butter

Mix the softened butter, chopped herbs, minced garlic, and parmesan in a food processor or blender. Pulse until it is well blended and smooth.  

Forming the swirled bread

Next, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a square that is 18x18 inches. Spread it with the herb butter mixture. 

Roll the dough as you would with cinnamon rolls, from the top to the bottom. Once you reach the bottom, pinch the roll closed. 

Cut down the middle of the loaf, lengthwise. Face the cut sides up, then twist them over each other. 

Place the loaf into a bread pan lined with parchment paper. Cover and let it rise for another 40 minutes, preheating the oven while it is rising. You won't need to let it rise as long the second time. 

If you want, brush the top of the dough with an egg wash for a prettier finish. 

Move it to the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes until the bread is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 190 degrees. I don't typically rely on baking time 100% but prefer to go off the internal temperature. 

Remove it from the oven, and let it cool for 5 minutes in the loaf pan. Then, gently lift out the parchment paper and set the loaf of bread on a wire rack to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. 

Tips and tricks for making the perfect loaf

• Be sure to let the garlic herb bread rise at room temperature in a warm place. 
• If you don't have a stand mixer, this bread can also be kneaded by hand. Just make sure the bread is kneaded until it is smooth. 
• New baker? If this is your first time making bread, don't feel intimidated. Read through the instructions carefully and you will be able to make this recipe with ease. 
• The reason I like to let the bread cool for about 20 minutes, which is hard to do because this bread smells amazing when it is baking and when it comes out, is to let the starches set. When the bread is still very hot and hasn't cooled, the starches won't be set and will be gummy when you cut into it. 
• If you like feta cheese, you can always sub this out for the parmesan cheese. it has a stronger flavor, but it is delicious!
• You can use any combination of savory herbs you like in this bread. I love the ones I chose, but there is also sage, thyme, etc. 
• Real butter is a must, magarine or another substitute just isn't as good!

What is white wheat flour?

White wheat flour is a type of flour that is made from white wheat, as opposed to traditional whole wheat flour, which is made from red wheat. The key difference between the two types of wheat is the color of the bran layer. Red wheat has a darker bran layer, while white wheat has a lighter-colored bran layer.

White wheat flour is often considered milder in flavor and lighter in color compared to whole wheat flour. It is commonly used in baking and cooking to produce lighter-textured baked goods. 

Other herbs to use

1. Fresh Rosemary: Provides a fragrant, piney flavor that pairs well with Italian cuisine.
2. Marjoram: Offers a milder, sweeter taste similar to oregano but less pungent.
3. Sage: Imparts an earthy, slightly peppery flavor that can add depth to the bread.
4. Parsley: Fresh parsley can add a bright and herbaceous note without overpowering.
5. Fennel Seeds: Provide a subtle licorice flavor that is commonly used in Italian cuisine.
6. Italian Seasoning Blend: Opt for a blend that excludes garlic, typically including basil, oregano, thyme, and other herbs.
7. Chives: For a mild onion flavor, finely chop chives and mix them into the dough.

Other swirl bread recipes

• Yeasted Breads
• Baked
• White Whole Wheat Flour