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Homemade Garlic Rosemary Bread Recipe

4.9 from 54 reviews

This Homemade Garlic Rosemary Bread recipe is a fragrant, rustic loaf perfect for pairing with soups, salads, or enjoying on its own. Made from scratch with simple ingredients like fresh rosemary and garlic, this bread features a crisp golden crust and a soft, flavorful interior. The slow rising and baking process brings out the best in texture and flavor, making it a rewarding baking experience for any home cook.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour
  • 2¼ tsp (7g) active dry yeast
  • 1½ tsp (9g) salt

Wet Ingredients & Flavorings

  • 1½ cups (360ml) warm water
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: Combine warm water and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy, which indicates the yeast is active and ready to use.
  2. Mix the dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped rosemary. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, developing gluten needed for structure.
  4. First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  5. Shape the dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air, then shape it into a round loaf. Place the loaf on a baking sheet or pizza stone for baking.
  6. Second rise: Cover the loaf with a towel and allow it to rise for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
  7. Score and bake: Use a sharp knife to score the top of the loaf which helps with oven spring during baking. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
  8. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing to ensure the crumb sets properly.

Notes

  • Use warm water around 105°F (40°C) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Kneading time is essential for gluten development; insufficient kneading can result in dense bread.
  • Ensure the dough doubles in size during rises to achieve a light, airy texture.
  • Scoring the loaf controls expansion and creates an attractive crust pattern.
  • Cooling on a wire rack prevents soggy bottoms by allowing steam to escape.
  • Use a pizza stone if available for a crispier crust; otherwise, a baking sheet works well.

Keywords: Homemade bread, Garlic bread, Rosemary bread, Artisan bread, Easy bread recipe, Baking bread from scratch