Description
Homemade garlic herb French bread brushed with a buttery herb glaze. It is crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfect with pasta or soups.
Ingredients
- 2½ to 2¾ cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 4 fresh cloves)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (about 120°F)
- 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter or olive oil
- 3 tablespoons melted butter (for glaze)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (for glaze)
- ⅘ teaspoon dried basil (for glaze)
- ⅘ teaspoon dried marjoram (for glaze)
- ⅘ teaspoon dried thyme (for glaze)
- ⅘ teaspoon garlic powder (for glaze)
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups of flour, salt, sugar, thyme, basil, marjoram, parsley, garlic, and yeast in a large bowl.
- Add warm water and butter (or oil). Stir until smooth.
- Gradually add remaining flour until you form a soft dough.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead for 5–7 minutes until the dough is elastic and smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, turn it once to coat, and cover with a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it in half. Shape the dough into two long loaves or braid it into one large loaf.
- Place the shaped loaves on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let them rise for another 30–40 minutes until doubled.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake the bread for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the bread bakes, melt the butter for the glaze and stir in the parsley, basil, marjoram, thyme, and garlic powder.
- Brush the hot loaves generously with the herb butter immediately after removing them from the oven.
- Cool the bread slightly before you slice and serve it warm.
Notes
- Use warm water around 120°F to activate the yeast properly.
- If using olive oil instead of butter for the dough, the final texture will be slightly different.
- You can braid the dough for a decorative presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American