Easy Homemade Rosemary Bread

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.  I mean it is a process but that process works alone. I am talking about the rising of the dough, you do nothing but give it a nice warm place to do it’s 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

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 bread sticks, 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.

Making rosemary bread from scratch

I use my stand mixer with a paddle attachment and the dough hook for this recipe. It’s easier to mix the dough with the paddle attachment, then change to the dough hook to let the machine knead the dough.  

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 will add the yeast with warm water and a bit of sugar until it’s dissolved.  Letting that rest for a 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, you will cover the dough and let it rise (until it’s double in size) in a warm place. 

One doubled, place dough on a lightly floured surface and divided 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 the bread in soups or stews is also encouraged! 

Rosemary Bread (Copycat recipe - Macaroni Grill)

I have been to the Macaroni Grill one time that I can recall and I probably should have just ordered salad and bread because by the time my meal came, I was so full from their rosemary bread that I could barely eat my meal. That bread stuck with me and I use rosemary so often that I can't figure out why I didn't make this before

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Author: Lisa Kerhin

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!