Description
Garlic bread wreath brings festive cheer to holiday tables with rich, herbed goodness. Warm, golden layers pull apart easily, inviting guests to share delicious moments together.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Extra parsley for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Whisk yeast with warm water and sugar, allowing the mixture to become frothy and bubbly for 7-8 minutes.
- Dough Preparation: Blend flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate activated yeast mixture and olive oil, kneading into a smooth, elastic dough. Work the dough for 10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes using a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- Dough Rising: Transfer kneaded dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and place in a warm location. Let the dough rise and double in volume for 1-1.5 hours.
- Garlic Butter Creation: Combine melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and Italian seasoning into a fragrant mixture.
- Dough Shaping and Coating: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet. Divide risen dough into 20-25 equal portions, generously coating each ball with herbed garlic butter.
- Wreath Assembly: Arrange butter-coated dough balls in a circular wreath formation on the baking sheet, leaving slight spacing between pieces to allow for expansion.
- Baking and Finishing: Bake for 22-25 minutes until the bread achieves a uniform golden-brown color. Verify doneness by tapping – it should sound hollow. Brush warm bread with remaining garlic butter, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
- Serving: Present immediately with marinara sauce or herb-infused butter for dipping, creating an irresistible communal dining experience.
Notes
- Activate Yeast Carefully: Use lukewarm water between 100-110°F to ensure proper yeast activation without killing the live cultures. Cold or hot water can prevent fermentation.
- Knead with Precision: Develop gluten by kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Proper kneading determines the bread’s texture and rise, so take time to work the dough thoroughly.
- Control Proofing Environment: Place dough in a warm, draft-free area around 75-80°F for optimal rising. Cover with a damp cloth to prevent surface drying and maintain moisture during fermentation.
- Butter Distribution Technique: Ensure even garlic butter coating by rolling each dough ball completely, allowing maximum flavor absorption and consistent browning during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg