Description

This Homemade Garlic Rosemary Bread is a fragrant, flavorful artisan-style loaf made with fresh rosemary and minced garlic, perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or as a delicious sandwich base. Soft and chewy on the inside with a golden, crispy crust, this bread is a rewarding bake that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

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

Flavorings

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 this mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
Mix the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped rosemary. Stir all the ingredients together until a rough, shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
First rise: Lightly grease a bowl and place the kneaded dough inside. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and set it in a warm, draft-free spot. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Shape the dough: After the first rise, punch down the dough to release excess air. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet or pizza stone prepared for baking.
Second rise: Cover the shaped loaf with a towel and let it rise again for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
Score and bake: Using a sharp knife, make a few shallow cuts on the top of the loaf to allow for expansion. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to ensure the crumb sets properly.

Notes

Using warm water is crucial to activate the yeast properly; water that is too hot can kill the yeast.
Kneading develops the gluten, resulting in a better texture, so don’t skip or shorten this step.
For extra flavor, brush the top of the loaf lightly with olive oil before baking.
Letting the bread cool completely on a wire rack prevents a soggy bottom and ensures perfect texture.
You can substitute fresh rosemary with 1 tbsp of dried rosemary if fresh is not available, but fresh is preferred for optimal flavor.
If you want a crispier crust, place a pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Garlic rosemary bread, homemade bread recipe, artisan bread, garlic bread, rosemary bread, easy bread recipe