Andy Montoya
If you're a fan of Subway's Italian herbs and cheese bread, you'll be glad to know that you can make it at home! This copycat recipe will allow you to enjoy the soft, tender, and flavourful bread whenever you want, and it's surprisingly easy to make. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to make the dough, and then shape it into 12-inch logs. After spraying them, dip the logs into the Italian herb mixture, score them, and let them rise one final time before sprinkling on the cheese and baking. The result is a delicious, fluffy bread that's perfect for sandwiches or even just enjoying on its own. So, get ready to bring the smell of freshly baked bread into your kitchen and impress your family and friends with your homemade Italian herbs and cheese bread!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough preparation | Mix flour, water, and yeast (or sourdough starter) to create a sticky dough |
| Sponge | Cover and let the dough rest overnight to build flavor |
| Shaping | Shape the dough into 12-inch logs |
| Seasoning | Dip in Italian herb mixture (oregano, thyme, Italian seasoning, garlic powder) |
| Scoring | Score the dough |
| Cheese | Sprinkle with freshly grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese |
| Proofing | Proof until doubled in size |
| Baking | Bake at 430-450°F for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown |
| Cooling | Let the bread cool for a few minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the dough
To prepare the dough for Italian herbs and cheese Subway bread, you'll first need to create a sponge, also known as a poolish, which gives the bread its soft, fluffy texture and subtle flavour. To do this, mix flour, water, and yeast (or a sourdough starter) to create a sticky sponge. Cover and let it rest overnight.
The next day, combine the sponge with the rest of your dough ingredients. You can either knead the dough by hand or use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. This particular dough is quite sticky, so using a mixer may be preferable.
Once the dough is ready, form it into 12-inch logs. If you want a perfect Subway roll shape, a silicone bread mould will help keep the dough from spreading too much and give you uniform loaves. Alternatively, you can use a parchment-lined baking sheet.
After shaping the dough, you can move on to the herb and cheese topping.
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Shaping the dough
If you want to make rolls, divide the dough into 12-16 pieces. Push up and stretch the dough down over your thumb, then pinch the bottom together to form tight rolls that will rise well. For a more precise shape, a silicone bread mold can be used to prevent the dough from spreading too much. You can also use a parchment-lined baking sheet, creating nests for the loaves with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Once you have shaped the dough, brush the tops with butter and oil, and sprinkle them with the herb and cheese mixture. Cover and let the dough rest for 20 minutes to an hour, allowing it to rise. This step ensures that the bread will be fluffy and soft.
After the dough has risen, it is ready to be baked. Place the dough in a preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven and the humidity levels.
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Adding herbs
To make Subway-style Italian herbs and cheese bread at home, you'll need to add herbs and seasonings to a basic Italian bread recipe. Here are some tips and tricks for adding herbs to your Subway bread:
Choosing Your Herbs
The exact blend of herbs used in Subway's Italian herbs and cheese bread is proprietary, but you can experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend. A simple mix of oregano and thyme is a great place to start, as these herbs are commonly associated with Italian cuisine. You can also add other herbs like basil, rosemary, or marjoram to create a more complex flavour profile. Don't be afraid to taste different herbs and experiment until you find a blend that you like.
Preparing the Herb Mix
Once you've chosen your herbs, you'll want to prepare them for adding to your dough. Dried herbs are easier to work with and will stick to the dough better, so if you're using fresh herbs, be sure to dry them first. You can do this by spreading them out on a paper towel and letting them air dry, or by gently heating them in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes. Once they're dry, crumble them into a fine powder using your fingers or a mortar and pestle.
Adding the Herbs to the Dough
There are a few different methods for adding herbs to your bread dough. One popular method is to roll the dough in the herb mix. To do this, lightly spray or brush the dough with water, then roll it in a plate or bowl of your herb mix until it's evenly coated. Another method is to sprinkle the herbs on top of the dough and gently pat them in. You can also mix the herbs into the dough as you're kneading it, but be careful not to over-knead, as this can toughen the dough.
Baking the Bread
Once you've added the herbs, it's time to bake your bread. Follow your favourite Italian bread recipe, keeping in mind that the herbs may affect the baking time and temperature. Be sure to check the bread periodically to ensure it doesn't burn. The bread is done when it's golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
By following these steps and experimenting with different herb combinations, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious Italian herbs and cheese bread, just like Subway's!
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Adding cheese
To make Subway-style Italian herbs and cheese bread at home, you'll need to add cheese to your dough. The type of cheese you use is important, as it will impact the flavour and texture of your bread.
Firstly, prepare your dough as you normally would, and allow it to rise for about 10 minutes. You can use any type of dough, but a soft, fluffy dough is ideal. Once your dough has risen, shape it into a 12-inch log. You can then dip it into Italian herbs or roll it in a mix of herbs, salt, and garlic powder. You can use dried herbs such as oregano and thyme, or make your own Italian seasoning blend.
Next, you can add the cheese. The standard Subway cheese mix is grated Parmesan and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. You can sprinkle the cheese on top of the dough or pat it gently so that it incorporates into the dough. If you add the cheese too early, it can weigh down the dough, so it's best to add it after the dough has risen.
After adding the cheese, score the dough and let it rise one final time. Then, bake the dough in a static oven at 430-450°F for about 20-25 minutes. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, but it's important not to open the oven door for at least the first 15 minutes. To ensure your bread has a soft interior and a crispy crust, place an oven-compatible pan of water in the oven during baking. Your bread is ready when the top is golden brown.
You can also experiment with different types of cheese to create your own unique flavour combinations. For example, you could try using Monterey cheddar or mozzarella cheese. Adding more cheese will also give your bread an extra cheesy flavour.
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Baking
To make Subway-style Italian herbs and cheese bread, you'll need to start with a basic bread dough. You can make this from scratch or use a pre-made frozen dough. If you're making your own dough, it's recommended to start with an overnight sponge (also called a poolish) to give your bread a soft, fluffy texture and subtle flavour. To make the sponge, simply mix flour, water, and yeast (or a sourdough starter) and let it rest overnight. The next day, you can mix the sponge with the rest of your dough ingredients.
Once you have your dough, it's time to add the herbs and cheese. You can use a variety of herbs, such as oregano, thyme, or Italian seasoning, and mix them with garlic powder and grated Parmesan and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. You can also add a small amount of sugar to help activate the yeast and improve fermentation.
After mixing your herbs and cheese, it's time to shape your dough into 12-inch logs. Spray them with water, dip them into the herb mixture, and then score them. Let the dough rise one final time before sprinkling with freshly grated cheese. It's important to add the cheese after the dough has risen to avoid weighing it down.
Finally, it's time to bake your bread! Preheat your oven to between 350°F and 450°F. Place the dough on a lined or greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown. To ensure a crispy crust and soft interior, place an oven-compatible pan full of water on the lower rack of the oven to create steam. This will prevent the bread crust from drying out too quickly.
Once your bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before enjoying it with your favourite fillings!
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Frequently asked questions
To make the dough, you'll need to combine flour, water, yeast, sugar, oil, salt, egg, and dried potato flakes. You can use either bread flour or all-purpose flour with a high protein content (11-12%).
For the herb and cheese mixture, you'll need grated Parmesan cheese, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, thyme, and basil. You can also use Monterey Jack cheese.
After making the dough, let it rise for about 10 minutes. Then, shape them into 12-inch logs, dip them into the Italian herb mixture, score them, and let them rise one final time.
You should add the herb and cheese mixture to the dough after shaping and scoring it. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the dough before baking.
Your bread is fully cooked when it turns golden brown on top. Avoid opening the oven door too often to check on it, as this can affect the cooking time.
