Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread (Print Version)
Rustic artisan loaf with garlic, rosemary, and thyme baked in a Dutch oven for golden crust and soft interior.
# What You'll Need:
→ Bread Dough
01 - 3 ½ cups bread flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons salt
03 - 1 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
05 - 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Garlic & Herbs
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
11 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine bread flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly.
02 - Pour warm water and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky, shaggy dough forms.
03 - Add minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley to the dough. Stir until herbs and garlic are evenly distributed throughout.
04 - Cover bowl with plastic wrap or damp towel. Let rise at room temperature for 2 hours until dough has doubled in size.
05 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Gently shape into a round loaf, tucking edges underneath to create tension on the surface.
06 - Place dough on parchment paper. Cover loosely with towel and let rest for 30 minutes while oven preheats.
07 - Place Dutch oven with lid in cold oven. Preheat to 450°F for at least 30 minutes to ensure pot is thoroughly hot.
08 - Carefully lift dough using parchment paper and lower into preheated Dutch oven. Score top with sharp knife in a cross or slash pattern.
09 - Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes to create steam and develop initial rise.
10 - Remove lid and bake for 15-20 minutes until crust is deep golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped on bottom.
11 - Remove bread from Dutch oven. Brush generously with melted butter and sprinkle with additional fresh parsley. Cool completely before slicing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crust achieves that professional bakery crunch without any special equipment or techniques
- Fresh garlic and herbs baked right into the dough creates layers of flavor in every bite
- Even complete bread beginners can pull this off with stunning results
02 -
- Preheating the Dutch oven is nonnegotiable for that dramatic oven spring and crispy crust
- The dough will feel sticky and messy, but resist adding more flour or the bread will turn dense
- Scoring the dough isnt just for looks, it lets steam escape and prevents the bread from bursting unevenly
03 -
- Weighing your flour instead of using cup measures gives you consistent results every time
- Letting the bread cool for at least 30 minutes prevents the inside from becoming gummy