Description
This Garlic Herb and Cheese Pull-Apart Bread features soft, fluffy homemade bread layered with fragrant crushed garlic, a medley of fresh herbs, and a generous mix of melted Philly and tasty cheeses. Perfectly baked to a golden crust, this irresistible pull-apart loaf is ideal for sharing at family dinners, parties, or as a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 500g plain flour
- ½ tbsp dried yeast granules
- ½ tbsp salt
- ½ tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp bread improver
- 325ml water (room temperature)
- ½ tbsp olive oil
Filling Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- â…“ cup chopped parsley
- â…“ cup chopped basil
- ¼ cup chopped rosemary leaves
- 1 tbsp butter
- 200g grated Philly and tasty cheese
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, dried yeast granules, salt, sugar, and bread improver thoroughly.
- Add Water and Form Dough: Gradually add half of the water to the dry mixture and start mixing. Continue adding the remaining water little by little until the ingredients come together to form a dough ball.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface, add olive oil, and knead it well until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add extra flour if necessary to prevent sticking.
- First Rise: Place the dough back into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Dough for Filling: After rising, punch down the dough to release air. Cut it in half and roll each piece out into a 50cm x 25cm rectangle.
- Add Butter, Garlic, Herbs, and Cheese: Spread half a tablespoon of butter on each rectangle. Sprinkle evenly with the crushed garlic, chopped parsley, basil, rosemary, and the grated cheese mix.
- Cut and Stack Dough: Slice each rectangle into strips matching the height of your loaf tins. Stack these strips atop each other, then cut the stack into squares the width of the loaf tins to create layers.
- Arrange and Proof: Grease or line your loaf tins and place the dough squares stacked sideways inside. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough proof again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (374°F) to get it ready for baking.
- Bake: Remove the plastic wrap and bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 55 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature water to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Ensure the dough is kneaded well for an elastic texture, which helps the bread rise beautifully.
- Bread improver can be omitted if unavailable, but it helps with the texture and rise.
- You can substitute the herbs with any fresh herbs you have available for different flavors.
- For a richer taste, use a combination of cheeses or add mozzarella for extra meltiness.
- Make sure to preheat your oven thoroughly to get a nice crust on the bread.
- The pull-apart bread is best enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven.
