Italian Herb & Cheese Bread (Print Version)
Soft, cheesy bread with Italian herbs baked to golden perfection, just like your favorite sandwich shop but made in your kitchen.
# What You’ll Need:
→ For the Bread
01 - 1½ cups warm water (110°F)
02 - 2 Tbsp instant dry yeast
03 - 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
04 - 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
05 - ½ Tbsp table salt
06 - 1 large egg
07 - ¼ cup dried potato flakes
08 - 3¾ cups bread flour
09 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
10 - ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
→ For the Toppings
11 - 1 Tbsp garlic powder
12 - 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
13 - ½ Tbsp dried oregano
14 - ½ Tbsp dried parsley
15 - ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
16 - ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine water, yeast, sugar, oil, salt, egg, and dried potato flakes in a stand mixer bowl and stir until well mixed.
02 - Add flour and both cheeses. Mix on low speed with dough hook for 1-2 minutes until combined, then increase to medium speed for 6-7 minutes. Dough should pull away from sides of bowl; add additional flour in 1-2 tablespoon increments if needed.
03 - Transfer dough to an oiled large mixing bowl. Cover and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
04 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and divide into 4 equal pieces. Working with one piece at a time, press into a ~6"x11" rectangle. Fold lengthwise like a letter, then roll to create an 11-12" log. Place on a silicone sub roll mat on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
05 - In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, oregano, and parsley.
06 - Brush dough tops lightly with water and sprinkle herb mixture evenly over each loaf.
07 - Spray tops with nonstick baking spray and cover lightly with plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature for one hour or until doubled in size.
08 - Heat oven to 375°F.
09 - Cut 3 diagonal slices approximately ½" deep on top of each roll. Sprinkle Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses evenly over the loaves.
10 - Bake for 16-20 minutes until rolls are light golden brown.
11 - Transfer rolls to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Ready in under 2 hours despite being homemade bread
- Uses basic pantry ingredients but tastes professional
- Makes 4 substantial sub rolls that freeze beautifully
- Customizable with your favorite cheese and herb combinations
02 -
- These rolls contain 15g of protein per serving making them more substantial than typical white bread
- The dough freezes beautifully before or after baking for meal prep
- Potato flakes are essential for the authentic texture so avoid substituting
03 -
- Allow the shaped dough to rise in a slightly warm environment like near a preheating oven for more consistent results in any season
- Score the tops right before baking rather than earlier to prevent deflating your carefully risen dough
- For maximum cheese flavor use freshly grated cheese rather than pre shredded which contains anti caking agents