Recipe Garlic Bread with Mozzarella

Garlic Bread with Mozzarella is a warm, cheesy, and garlicky delight that makes a great side dish or appetizer. The bread is infused with butter, garlic, and topped with melted mozzarella, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. This recipe is easy to follow and yields an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: 280 g (+/- 15 g as needed)
• Instant dry yeast: 1 tsp
• Milk: 125 ml (room temperature)
• Butter: 40 g (for dough) + 20 g (for topping)
• Egg: 1 (room temperature)
• Salt: 1/2 tsp
• Sugar: 20 g
• Mozzarella cheese: 200 g
• Garlic: 2 cloves (minced)

Method

1. Prepare the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the egg, room temperature milk, salt, sugar, and melted (but not hot) butter. Gradually add the sifted flour and yeast.
2. Knead the dough: Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should feel soft and not too dense. Form the dough into a ball and place it on a baking tray lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Cover it with a large bowl or towel and let it rest in a warm place for 20 minutes. You can preheat your oven to 50°C, turn it off, and place the dough inside to help it rise faster.
3. Prepare the garlic butter: While the dough is resting, mix the softened butter with the minced garlic to make a flavorful garlic butter.
4. Shape the dough: Once the dough has rested, flatten it gently with your hands into a round disc about 2.5-3 cm thick. Using a sharp knife, make crisscross cuts on the surface of the dough (both lengthwise and widthwise), being careful not to cut all the way through—leave about half the thickness of the dough intact.
5. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C.
6. Add garlic butter and mozzarella: Brush the garlic butter generously over the surface of the dough, making sure to get some into the cuts. Slice the mozzarella into half-ovals and small cubes. Insert the half-ovals of cheese into the slits you made, then place the cubes between them.
7. Bake the bread: Place the bread in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the bread turns golden and the cheese melts and browns slightly. Keep an eye on it to prevent overbaking.
8. Cool and garnish: Once baked, remove the garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly for 5-7 minutes. Optionally, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley over the top for added freshness and color.

Enjoy your warm, cheesy garlic bread with your favorite meal or on its own!