Soft Roasted Garlic Bread Recipe

Start by trimming the tops off the garlic cloves and wrapping them in foil.

Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle some salt and pepper, then keep them wrapped and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour.

While the garlic is baking, combine the soft butter, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.

Once the garlic is roasted and cooled slightly, squeeze the cloves into the butter mixture and stir until well combined.

In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of milk and whisk in 3 tablespoons of the previously prepared garlic butter filling until smooth.

Over medium heat, continue stirring until the mixture thickens to a consistency resembling mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, combine the cooled milk mixture, egg, sugar, instant yeast, flour, and salt. Knead using a dough hook for about 8-10 minutes until a coarse dough forms.

Gradually add the room temperature butter and knead for another 8-10 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and slightly sticky.

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, covering it with plastic wrap or a damp cloth.

Allow it to rise in a warm area for 1.5 to 2 hours or until it has nearly doubled in size.

After the dough has risen, gently poke it to release the air. Divide it into two equal portions and shape each into a ball. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a rectangle measuring approximately 22 cm x 45 cm (8.5 in x 17.5 in).

Spread half of the garlic butter filling evenly over one half of the rectangle, then fold over to cover.

Cut the remaining dough into 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) wide strips and roll them up tightly to form spirals.

Transfer the rolled dough pieces to a baking dish lined with parchment paper, drizzle with more garlic butter, and cover to let rise for another 30 minutes until puffed up.

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) 20 minutes before baking.

Brush the top of the bread with a mixture of beaten egg yolk and milk before placing it in the oven.

Bake for 25-28 minutes or until golden brown.

Once baked, remove from the oven and brush the warm bread with the remaining garlic butter and a drizzle of honey for some added sweetness.

Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top before allowing the bread to cool in the dish for about 10 minutes.

Finally, slice the bread and enjoy! You can serve it warm or at room temperature.