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Quick and Easy Italian Cheese Bread recipe
This Italian cheese bread is an easy homemade recipe that’s packed with flavor, cheesy goodness, and baked to crusty perfection—no fancy skills needed.
Servings 14 slices
Calories 160kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Salt
- 390 gms (3+1/4 cups) Flour
- 2 tsp Instant Yeast
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 240 ml (1 cup) Lukewarm Water about 110°F / 43°C
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 122 gms (1 cup) Shredded Mozarella Cheese
- 25 gms (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder optional
- 1 tbsp Dried Italian Herbs
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine salt, flour, instant yeast, and sugar. Mix well. Add warm water and olive oil, and stir until a soft dough forms.If using active dry yeast: Dissolve it in ½ cup warm water with the sugar. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy, then proceed with adding flour, salt, remaining water, and olive oil.
Step 2: Knead the Dough
- Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.Tip: You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook on medium speed. Refer to our video for a quick kneading guide.
Step 3: First Rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
- Punch down the dough gently. Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment and lightly grease it. Press and stretch dough evenly to the edges.
Step 5: Top with Cheese and Herbs
- Sprinkle mozzarella, Parmesan or Pecorino, Italian herbs, and optional garlic powder over the dough. Cover and let it rest for 15–20 minutes for a second rise.
Step 6: Bake the Bread
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Bake with both top and bottom rods on for 20 minutes. Then turn off the bottom rod, and bake for another 5 minutes with just the top rod on until cheese is golden and edges are crispy.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Let bread cool slightly in the pan. Slice into 14 pieces and serve warm with marinara sauce, olive oil or garlic dip.
Video
Notes
- Use a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan or Pecorino Romano for best flavor. You can also add a sprinkle of red chili flakes or crushed black pepper for extra kick.
- Brush the top with melted butter or olive oil before serving for an extra golden touch.
- Make sure your water is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly.
- Great as a side to pasta, soup, or as a snack with dips.
- Use store-bought pizza dough to save time, especially when making a large batch for potlucks or gatherings. It bakes up just as delicious with all the cheesy flavor!
Nutrition
Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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