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Herb Olive Bread

Herb Olive Bread
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Bake soft, fragrant Herb Olive Bread filled with fresh herbs and briny Kalamata olives. This easy, flavorful bread has a tender, moist crumb and a golden crust—perfect for breakfasts, dinners, or sharing with friends. Suitable for beginners and adaptable to many variations, this recipe brings aromatic herbs and olives together in a delicious homemade loaf.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar or honey
  • 2 tbsp mixed fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano), chopped
  • 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Yeast: Dissolve the active dry yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and chopped fresh herbs. Make a well in the center, then pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until all ingredients form a shaggy dough.
  3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky, developing gluten for structure.
  4. Add the Olives: Fold the chopped Kalamata olives gently into the dough, spreading evenly without breaking them into too small pieces.
  5. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled in size.
  6. Shape and Second Rise: Punch down the dough gently, shape into a round or oval loaf, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise another 40 minutes.
  7. Bake the Bread: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Optionally, slash the top with a sharp knife. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  8. Cool Before Slicing: Allow bread to cool completely on a wire rack to set the crumb for easy slicing.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs for maximum aroma and flavor.
  • Don’t overload olives to prevent weighing down the dough.
  • Check water temperature carefully; too hot kills yeast, too cold slows rising.
  • Score bread before baking for beautiful crust texture.
  • Brush baked bread lightly with olive oil for shine and enhanced flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Herb Olive Bread, homemade bread, Mediterranean bread, rosemary bread, thyme bread, oregano bread, olives bread, savory bread

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/herb-olive-bread/