Description
Subway’s iconic Italian herb & cheese bread brings bakery magic home with professional-quality results. Crusty exterior and pillowy interior combine with signature herbal notes, inviting bread enthusiasts to craft a delicious restaurant-style experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups (437.5 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) warm water
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1/2 cup (56 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
Seasonings and Leavening:
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons or 7 grams)
- 1 tablespoon (12.5 grams) sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Gather all dry ingredients including flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and aromatic herbs in a spacious mixing vessel. Blend these components thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Create a well in the center of the dry mixture and introduce warm water and olive oil. Gently incorporate the liquids until a cohesive dough emerges.
- Transfer the nascent dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead with rhythmic, pressing motions until the texture transforms into a smooth, resilient mass with subtle elasticity.
- Nestle the prepared dough into a generously oiled bowl, draping a clean kitchen towel over the top. Allow the mixture to rest and expand in a draft-free, temperate environment for approximately 60-90 minutes.
- Calibrate the oven temperature to 375°F, positioning the rack in the center for optimal heat circulation.
- Deflate the risen dough with a gentle punch, then partition it into two symmetrical segments. Carefully mold each portion into an elongated loaf shape, positioning them on a prepared baking sheet.
- Lavish the loaf surfaces with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Slide the cheese-adorned loaves into the preheated oven. Bake until the exterior achieves a golden-brown hue and the cheese melts into an enticing, bubbling landscape.
- Extract the bread and immediately apply a delicate brush of melted butter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for an aromatic flourish.
- Permit the bread a brief cooling interval before slicing. Serve alongside complementary sandwich ingredients or savor independently.
Notes
- Customize herbs by adjusting quantities to match personal taste preferences without overwhelming the bread’s delicate flavor profile.
- Use instant yeast for quicker rising time and more consistent bread texture that develops softer, airier crumb structure.
- Ensure water temperature stays between 105-110°F to activate yeast properly without killing the live cultures during proofing process.
- Experiment with cheese blend variations like adding sharp cheddar or replacing some mozzarella with provolone for enhanced depth of flavor and melting characteristics.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg