Go Back
Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread

Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread

This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is soft, buttery, and bursting with layers of melted cheese, garlic, and aromatic herbs. With its beautiful spiral pattern and irresistible flavor, this loaf combines everything you love about cheesy garlic bread and homemade garlic bread, but in a stunning bakery-style presentation. Whether made by hand or with a bread machine, it's perfect for pasta night, serving with soups, or enjoying warm on its own.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Dough:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry or instant yeast
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup warm milk 110°F / 43°C
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 1 large egg
  • For the Garlic Herb Cheese Filling:
  • 4 tbsp melted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or provolone
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • For Topping Optional:
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • Extra parmesan
  • Fresh parsley

Method
 

  1. Activate Yeast (If Using Active Dry)
  2. In a bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  3. Make the Dough
  4. Add flour, salt, softened butter, and egg. Mix until combined, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Bread Machine Option: Add ingredients in manufacturer’s order and run the Dough Cycle.
  6. First Rise
  7. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled.
  8. Prepare Garlic Herb Cheese Filling
  9. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  10. Roll Out Dough
  11. Punch down the risen dough. Roll into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
  12. Add Filling
  13. Spread the garlic herb butter mixture evenly over the dough. Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan over the top.
  14. Create the Swirl
  15. Roll up the dough tightly from the long side to form a log.
  16. Cut and Twist
  17. Slice the log lengthwise into two long halves. Twist the halves together, cut-side up, to expose the cheese swirls.
  18. Second Rise
  19. Place the twisted dough into a greased loaf pan. Cover and rise for 30 minutes.
  20. Bake
  21. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 28–32 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
  22. Finish (Optional)
  23. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle extra parmesan and parsley.
  24. Serve
  25. Allow to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with pasta, soup, or enjoy plain.

Notes

Bread Machine Friendly: Use the dough cycle for easy kneading and rising.
Cheese Options: Mozzarella melts best, but gruyere, provolone, or cheddar add great flavor.
Make Ahead: Prepare dough a day in advance and refrigerate.
Storage: Wrap tightly; keeps 3 days at room temp or freeze up to 2 months.
Variation: Turn into garlic pull apart bread by slicing into strips, stacking, and arranging in a loaf pan.
Extra Flavor: Add red pepper flakes for heat or roasted garlic for deeper flavor.