Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread

There is something almost magical about the smell of bread baking, but when you add garlic and melting cheese to the mix, it becomes irresistible. This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread is our latest kitchen triumph. Max calls it "the savory cinnamon roll" because of the beautiful spiral, but instead of sugar, it is packed with zesty herbs and gooey mozzarella. It is soft, fluffy, and pulls apart in the most satisfying way.

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Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread
• How To Make Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread
• What Pairs Well With Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread
• Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Variations
• Equipment
• Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
• Top Tips for Best Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread
• Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread FAQs
• A Loaf Worth Sharing
• Related
• Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread

Why You Will Love This Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread

You will love this recipe because it looks like an artisan bakery loaf but is surprisingly easy to make at home. The dough is enriched with milk and butter for a tender crumb, while the filling creates pockets of flavor in every single bite. It is the ultimate comfort food—perfect for dunking in soup, serving alongside pasta, or just eating warm straight from the oven with a little extra butter.

How To Make Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread

To get that stunning swirled effect like in the picture, we treat this dough similarly to a babka or cinnamon roll. We start by making a simple yeasted dough and letting it rise until puffy. We roll it out into a rectangle and slather it with a homemade garlic-herb butter and a mountain of cheese. The trick is rolling it up tight, cutting the log in half lengthwise to expose the layers, and twisting them together before baking. This ensures every slice is gorgeous and packed with filling.

Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Ingredients

The Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for more chew)
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar (feeds the yeast)
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• 1 large egg; room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; melted and cooled

The Garlic Herb Filling

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; very soft
• 4 cloves garlic; minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley; chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil or oregano; chopped
• 1 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese (for the stretch)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for the flavor)

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Step by Step Method

Make the Dough

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
• Add the warm milk, egg, and melted butter. Mix on low speed until combined.
• Increase speed to medium and knead for 5–7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. (If it's too sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time).

First Rise

• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a warm towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Fill and Shape

• Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12x18 inch rectangle.
• Mix the soft butter with the minced garlic and chopped herbs. Spread this evenly over the dough.
• Sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the butter layer.
• Roll the dough up tightly from the long edge into a log. pinch the seam to seal.

The Swirl Technique

• Using a sharp knife, cut the log in half lengthwise, leaving about 1 inch connected at the top.
• Twist the two strands over each other (cut side up to show the layers) and pinch the ends together.
• Place the twisted loaf into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.

Second Rise & Bake

• Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes until puffy.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

MAX’S REACTION

"It looks like a bread braid! I love picking the crispy cheese bits off the top. It tastes like the best garlic bread ever, but soft like a pillow inside."

What Pairs Well With Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread

This bread is a star on its own, but it is begging to be dipped. Serve it alongside a hot bowl of tomato soup or minestrone. It is also the perfect side for a spaghetti dinner or a steak salad. For a decadent breakfast, toast a slice and top it with a poached egg—sort of a rustic take on Breakfast Poutine with Hollandaise Sauce.

Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread Variations

No Yeast Quick Bread

If you are intimidated by yeast, you can make a Swirled garlic herb and cheese bread no yeast version. Use a standard savory soda bread or biscuit dough recipe, roll it out, fill, and twist. The texture will be denser (more like a biscuit), but the flavor will still be amazing.

Subway Style

To mimic the Garlic herb and cheese bread Subway style, add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds to the top of the loaf before baking and use Monterey Jack cheese inside.

Spicy Jalapeño

Add diced pickled jalapeños to the cheese filling and swap the mozzarella for Pepper Jack cheese for a spicy kick.

Sun-Dried Tomato

Mix chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed) into the butter mixture for a red-swirled Italian version.

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Equipment

• Stand Mixer (or large bowl for hand kneading)
• 9x5 Loaf Pan
• Rolling Pin
• Sharp Knife (for cutting the swirl)
• Pastry Brush
• Mom Tip: If the top is browning too fast in the oven but the center is still doughy, tent the loaf loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes.

Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips

Storage

Keep the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully. Slice it first, then wrap the slices in plastic wrap and freeze. You can toast individual slices straight from the freezer.

Make Ahead

You can make the dough and let it do its first rise in the fridge overnight. The cold dough is actually easier to roll and shape the next morning.

Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread FAQs

A Loaf Worth Sharing

This bread has become a centerpiece at our dinner table. It is impressive to look at and even better to eat. If you are on a baking kick, you might also want to try our sweet Hot Cocoa Cinnamon Rolls for dessert, or stick to the savory theme with our festive Christmas Bread wreaths.

Share your Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread! Tag us @HannahCooking with #GarlicHerbSwiel; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!

⭐️ Rate this Swirled Garlic Herb and Cheese Bread recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!

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