This homemade Rosemary Bread is a simple yeast bread infused with fresh rosemary and is free-formed, so no bread pans are needed. The bread has a golden crust and is soft on the inside, making it the perfect bread.
Fresh bread baking in the oven – perhaps one of the best smells coming from ovens, in my opinion. Growing up I used to think making bread from scratch was a huge ordeal. I don’t know why because it’s so simple. Breadmaking really is a simple process that works alone. For the rising of the dough, you do nothing but give it a nice warm place to do its magic. Of course, if your yeast isn’t fresh or if you knead it too long, the bread may not rise like it’s supposed to but even then when baked you have a nice enjoyable “flatbread” to slather with warm butter or dip into soup. It’s a win-win so I am at a loss as to why I do not do this more often.
Rosemary Bread copycat recipe from the Macaroni Grill
Homemade bread dough is good for more than bread
This bread dough as with other yeast bread recipes can be turned into more than just loaves of bread. You can shape the dough into equal portions for breadsticks, rolls, or mini loaves of bread. Get creative! The only real thing to remember is not to over knead the dough and once in the desired shape, to let it rise the second time before baking. Of course, baking times will vary depending on the size and shape of your dough.
How to Make Homemade Rosemary Bread
This recipe for homemade rosemary bread is easier to make using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and the dough hook for this recipe. It’s easier to mix the dough with the paddle attachment, and then change to the dough hook to let the machine knead the dough.
The first thing you want to do is make sure your yeast has not expired! Expired yeast will not activate or allow your dough to rise. Then, you add the yeast with warm water and a bit of sugar until it’s dissolved. Letting that rest for a few minutes while the yeast does its thing, you can measure out the rest of the ingredients.
If you don’t have fresh rosemary, dried works too. Italian seasoning also works in place of the rosemary. I love rosemary so I always have plenty of fresh and dried on hand.
Once the yeast has rested, add the remaining ingredients except for one cup of the flour. Using the paddle attachment, combine the ingredients. Then switch to the dough hook, add the rest of the flour, and let the dough knead until it’s no longer sticking to the bowl. It’s ready when the dough is smooth and elastic.
At this point, cover the dough and let it rise (until it’s double in size) in a warm place.
Once doubled, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and divide in half.
Shape into two rounds or ovals. Place on your prepared baking sheet and allow to rise and double in size again (do not cover the dough this time).
When doubled, bake and allow to cool before serving.
We like to serve the bread with this Italian herb dipping oil. Dipping rosemary bread in any of these delicious soups or this Minnesota wild rice soup is also highly recommended.
Rosemary Bread (Copycat recipe - Macaroni Grill)
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water 110-115 degrees
- 1 packet of active dry yeast 1/4 oz packet
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 3 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary divided
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt optional
- optional - Italian Herb Bread Dipping Oil recipe below
Instructions
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 1/4 cup water, yeast and sugar until yeast has dissolved. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, the remaining 3/4 cup warm water, 1 1/2 cups flour, 3 tablespoons rosemary and fine salt - using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer, blend mixture until combined. I found that using the paddle attachment instead of the dough hook for this step was easier to combine the ingredients. Alternatively, you can mix it with a wooden spoon.
- Switch the paddle attachment on stand mixer to a hook attachment and add in 1 cup flour and knead mixture on medium speed until smooth and elastic. Add additional flour as needed if dough is sticking to bowl.
- Cover bowl and allow to rest in a warm place until more than doubled in size, about 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
- Scoop dough out of bowl and divide into two equal portions.
- Spray two baking sheets with non-stick spray or grease them with olive oil.
- Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and shape each dough section into rounds or ovals while folding tops into the middle and then tucking and pinching seams on the bottom.
- Transfer to prepared baking sheet spacing evenly apart and allow to rest, uncovered, until more than doubled about 1 1/2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, the remove from oven and brush loaves with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle tops the remaining 1 tablespoon rosemary and with a bit of kosher salt.
- Return to oven and bake 10 - 15 minutes longer until golden brown.
- Serve warm with Italian Herb Bread Dipping Oil (recipe below)
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Enjoy!
I’ve never been to macaroni grill so I don’t know their bread. But I do know that homemade bread is just about the best thing ever! My son especially appreciates it. Looks great! Thanks for sharing with See Ya in the Gumbo.
Oh gosh! Now I’m drooling! I am on a fasting day so this is really a test! lol! Love your blog, I’ll be back!
http://littleshackonthehill.blogspot.ca
Hi Lisa,
I want this Rosemary Bread with Dipping Sauce right now, oh my! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you stay warm and cozy on this cold day.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Oh Lisa! This bread looks amazing! I’ve got a wonderful rosemary plant in the garden that could use some trimming and this bread is exactly what I’m going to be doing with it! I’m so glad you shared this. Pinning & Tweeting.
These are adorable. Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipes at Foodie Fridays. Hope to see you again this week.
Blessings,
Shari
Where is the recipe for the dipping oil ?
Hi Carmen, the link for the Italian herb dipping oil is in the post, but here is the link: https://blogghetti.com/easy-italian-herb-dipping-oil-tastytuesdays/
Hi Lisa, can I use bread flour to do this bread? Thank you!!
Yes, you can sub bread flour for the all purpose. You may need to add a bit of water if the dough feels too dry. Other than that, you’re good to go.
I just made AND ate the bread, hahahaha. This was so yummy and hubby loved it as well. I also made the herb dip. This was my first time EVER making bread and it was a great experience with a great recipe.
Such a delicious bread recipe!
How do you keep it afterwards? Container? Foil? Fridge?
Thank you!
IF I have any leftover slices, I store them in a Ziplock bag
This recipe was so good. I will probably make it often. It was definitely easy to prepare.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Great easy recipe!
Something went wrong? Came out of the oven flat? Not sure what happened?
I’m sorry the bread didn’t turn out. Was your yeast fresh? Or was the water too hot or too cold? That all makes a difference for the dough to rise correctly.
Can I make this in a bread machine? Would I need to change anything?
I haven’t made this in the bread machine, so I am not sure if anything would change.
I’ve made this several times and my family loves it so much. The recipe is easy to follow and the bread is tasty! I will say it rises much better in the spring/summer than it did back in the winter when my kitchen didn’t get quite as warm, but it has been great every time. It’s my go-to bread recipe for every occasion!
I agree with the warmer weather bread dough does rise much better. In the winter I will turn my oven on to like 350 and place my bowl with towel over it on TOP of the stove. The warmth of the oven helps the bread rise quite well. I have also been known to take my dough to a warmer room in the house, like upstairs in my office and it does well too.
I was just going to suggest this! I actually just had my oven set to warm and had my dough on top, turned out great. Actually, I have tried making bread several times – this was my best yet!
Can you double the recipe easily?
It’s so easy that way isn’t it?!
thank you so much for this amazing recipe! my first time baking bread and it was probably the best thing i’ve ever baked. can’t wait to make it again!
I am so happy to hear this Alexa!
My first time making bread and this recipe was absolutely AMAZING!!! Easy directions and the bread was so tasty! Can’t wait to make it again.
I’m so glad it turned out! Thank you for the comment too!