Homemade Garlic Rosemary Bread Recipe
This Homemade Garlic Rosemary Bread is a fragrant, flavorful artisan loaf perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or enjoying on its own. Made with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, fresh rosemary, and garlic, this bread features a crispy golden crust and a soft, chewy interior. The dough undergoes two rises to develop its texture, and baking at high heat creates a delightful crust that enhances every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp (7g) active dry yeast
- 1½ tsp (9g) salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1½ cups (360ml) warm water
- 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
Herbs and Aromatics
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Combine the warm water and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped rosemary. Stir everything until a rough, shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for approximately 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, developing the gluten structure necessary for a good crumb.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Leave it to rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles and gently shape it into a round loaf. Transfer the loaf onto a baking sheet or pizza stone prepared for baking.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf with a towel and allow it to rise again for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) to ensure a hot baking environment.
- Score and bake: Using a sharp knife, make shallow slashes on the top of the loaf to allow proper expansion during baking. Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped at the bottom.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set properly.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, place a shallow pan of water in the oven during the first 10 minutes of baking to create steam.
- Make sure the water used to activate yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast; ideally around 110°F (43°C).
- You can substitute rosemary for other herbs like thyme or oregano based on preference.
- Allowing the bread to cool sufficiently before slicing prevents it from becoming gummy inside.
Keywords: garlic bread, rosemary bread, homemade bread, artisan bread, easy bread recipe, Italian bread
