Are you ready to indulge in the ultimate creamy and garlicky bread experience? You have to try this Fluffy and Soft Cream Cheese Garlic Bread recipe!
With its soft, pillowy dough and rich, savory filling, this bread is the perfect combination of flavor and texture. So why not give it a try and treat yourself to something special? Your taste buds (and your friends and family) will thank you!
The Perfect Combination of Creamy and Garlicky
This Cream Cheese Garlic Bread recipe is the perfect combination of creamy and garlicky flavors. The rich and savory filling, made with a blend of softened butter, garlic, and chives, adds a delicious depth of flavor to the soft and pillowy bread texture. And with a generous topping of melted mozzarella cheese, this bread is sure to satisfy all of your cravings.
How many servings will I get with this recipe?
This recipe makes one large loaf, which should be enough to serve 4-6 people, depending on how big you slice the bread. If you want to serve a larger group, you can double the recipe and bake two loaves, or you can slice the bread into smaller pieces to stretch it further.
How long does it take to make this recipe?
The total time it will take to make this recipe will be about 80 minutes to make from start to finish. This includes about 5-10 minutes to activate the yeast, 10 minutes for making the dough, 40 minutes for the dough to rest, and 15-20 minutes for the bread to bake in the oven.
How to store this recipe for leftovers?
If you have leftovers of the bread, you can store them in the refrigerator to enjoy later. Simply wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in an airtight container. The bread will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you are ready to eat the bread, simply remove it from the refrigerator, unwrap it, and then place it in a preheated oven for a few minutes to warm it up. You can also slice the bread and toast it under the broiler for a few minutes to refresh the crust and get it nice and crispy again
The Creamy, Garlicky Goods
- 1/2 cup of warm milk
- 1 tablespoon grams of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt (you can use Himalayan salt instead)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup of unsalted melted butter
- 2 cups of flour
- 1/8 cups of unsalted softened butter
- 4 slices garlic
- 1 tablespoon of chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
Here’s the recipe
Fluffy and Soft, Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Milk For the dough
- 1 tsp Sugar For the dough
- 1 tsp Dry yeast For the dough
- 1 tsp Salt For the dough
- 1 Egg For the dough
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter Melted, For the dough
- 2 cups FLour For the dough
- 1/8 cup Unsalted butter Softened, for making butter and garlic mixture
- 4 Slices Garlic For making butter and garlic mixture
- 1 tbsp Chives Finely chopped, for making butter and garlic mixture
- 1 tsp Salt For making butter and garlic mixture
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese Thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm milk. Sprinkle the dry yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour and 1 tsp of salt.
- Add the yeast mixture, egg, and melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for 40 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, chives, and 1 tsp of salt.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. To ensure that the bread bakes evenly, it is important to preheat the oven to the correct temperature. This will help the bread to rise properly and create a golden brown, crispy crust.
- Grease a baking tray with oil.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a large circle and place it in the prepared baking tray. It doesn't have to be a perfect circle – just make sure it is evenly rolled out. Using a sharp knife, make several shallow cuts in the dough. This will help the bread to rise evenly and also create a decorative pattern on the top of the bread.
- Brush the edges of the dough with egg white. This will help seal the dough’s edges and prevent the filling from spilling out during baking. Spread the butter and garlic mixture over the top of the dough.
- Arrange the sliced mozzarella cheese over the top of the dough, placing it in the shallow cuts.
- Bake the bread for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted. The bread should take approximately 15-20 minutes to cook in a preheated oven. Keep an eye on the bread as it bakes and adjust the time as needed. The actual baking time may vary depending on your oven type, so it is important to check the bread regularly to ensure that it is baking properly.
- Take out the bread from the oven and serve it hot. This recipe makes approximately 6 servings. Enjoy!
Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast in this recipe?
Yes, you can use fresh yeast in place of dry yeast in this recipe. To do this, simply replace the one teaspoon of dry yeast with 2 teaspons of fresh yeast. The rest of the recipe should remain the same.
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of Mozzarella?
Yes, you can use a different type of cheese in this recipe if you prefer. Some options that would work well include Gruyere, Parmesan, or even a blend of different types of cheese.
Pro Tips
- Proof the yeast: Before you begin mixing the dough, it’s a good idea to proof the yeast to make sure it is still active. To do this, mix the yeast with a little bit of sugar and warm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. If the mixture becomes bubbly and frothy, the yeast is active and ready to use. If not, the yeast may be old and you should use a fresh batch
- Knead the dough well: Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten, which gives the bread its structure and texture. Be sure to knead the dough for at least 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic
- Let the dough rise in a warm place: To help the dough rise, place it in a warm, draft-free place, such as a turned-off oven or a sunny windowsill. Cover the dough with a towel to keep it from drying out.
- Add flavor to the filling: To add extra flavor to the filling, you can mix in some minced herbs, such as basil or rosemary, or some spices, such as paprika or chili flakes. You could also mix in some diced cooked bacon or crumbled sausage for a meaty twist
- Use good-quality cheese: To get the best results, use good-quality cheese in your cheese bread recipe. Look for a cheese that is flavorful and melts well, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or gouda. Shred or slice the cheese thinly to ensure that it melts evenly and coats
Complementary Sides for This Recipe
Sauerkraut Salad with peppers next to Prosciutto and Panner
This salad is a great side dish for this recipe because it adds a refreshing, tangy flavor to the dish. The prosciutto and panner cheese add a salty, savory element, while the sauerkraut combined with peppers provides a burst of flavor.
A bowl of hearty soup
A bowl of warm, hearty soup would be the perfect partner for a slice of creamy garlic bread. Some options might include a creamy tomato soup, a hearty lentil soup, or a flavorful minestrone.
A plate of grilled vegetables
Grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant, would be a delicious side dish to pair with the garlic bread. You could toss the vegetables in some olive oil and your favorite seasonings before grilling them to add extra flavor.
A bowl of pasta
If you’re in the mood for a more filling meal, a bowl of pasta would be a great choice to serve with garlic bread. You could try a simple tomato sauce, a creamy alfredo sauce, or a flavorful pesto.
A plate of sliced meats and cheeses
If you’re hosting a party or gathering, a platter of sliced meats and cheeses would be a great option to serve with the garlic bread. You could include a variety of cured meats, such as prosciutto or salami, as well as a selection of cheese, such as cheddar, gouda, and brie.
Additional Notes
If the dough is too sticky to work with, you can add a little bit more flour to it, a tablespoon at a time, until it becomes easier to handle.
If your dough is not perfectly round while rolling it out, don’t worry! It doesn’t have to be perfectly round. You can shape the dough into a square, rectangle, or any other figure you desire. The most important thing is that the bread tastes good and you enjoy the process of making it. So don’t stress about the shape too much – as long as it tastes good, that’s all that matters!
If the dough is too dry and crumbly, you can try adding a little bit more milk or butter to it, a tablespoon at a time, until it becomes more pliable.
If the bread doesn’t rise as much as you’d like, you may need to adjust the amount of yeast you use or the temperature of the milk. Too much yeast can lead to over-proofing, while too little yeast can result in under-proofing. Similarly, the milk should be warm (around 110°F) but not too hot, as this can kill the yeast.
If the bread burns on the bottom before the cheese is fully melted, you can try lowering the oven temperature slightly or placing a sheet of aluminum foil over the top of the bread to prevent it from over-browning.
If the cheese doesn’t melt completely, you can try increasing the oven temperature slightly or covering the bread with a sheet of aluminum foil for the first half of the baking time, then removing it for the second half to allow the cheese to melt fully.
Final Words
Congratulations, you have successfully crafted the ultimate creamy, garlicky, and oh-so-cheesy garlic bread! Your taste buds are in for a treat with this recipe, and I have no doubt that it will become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.
