Garden Herb Braid

Elevate your bread-baking game with this stunning Garden Herb Braid—a soft, golden loaf infused with fresh parsley, rosemary, and thyme that fills your kitchen with the aroma of a flourishing herb garden. Perfectly braided for a show-stopping presentation, this homemade bread blends the warmth of rustic simplicity with an elegant twist. The dough comes together easily with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, olive oil, and yeast, and is topped with a glossy egg wash and optional sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch. Whether served as a centerpiece at dinner, sliced for sandwiches, or enjoyed warm with a pat of butter, this herbaceous bread is sure to impress. Plus, the recipe's approachable techniques and step-by-step instructions ensure bakery-level results at home!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 1 cup Warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 unit Egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.

Step 2

Add warm water, milk, and olive oil to the flour mixture. Stir until smooth.

Step 3

Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. You may not need all the flour.

Step 4

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Punch down the dough and gently knead in the chopped parsley, rosemary, and thyme until evenly distributed.

Step 7

Divide the dough into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope, about 16 inches long.

Step 8

Pinch the ends of the three ropes together at one end to start the braid. Braid the ropes by alternating crossing the outer ropes over the middle one. Pinch the ends together to seal the braid.

Step 9

Transfer the braided dough to a greased baking sheet and cover it loosely with plastic wrap. Let it rise again for about 30 minutes, until puffy.

Step 10

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 11

Brush the braided dough with the beaten egg for a shiny finish. If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	873.9 grams (873.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2191

Total Fat 57.20g	73%
Saturated Fat 10.10g	51%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 192mg	64%
Sodium 3652mg	159%
Total Carbohydrate 354.90g	129%
Dietary Fiber 14.50g	52%
Total Sugars 29.40g
Protein 56.30g	113%

Vitamin D 68IU	339%
Calcium 274mg	21%
Iron 23mg	128%
Potassium 876mg	19%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.8%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 65.7%