Step 1

Add the garlic and parsley to the Thermomix bowl. Chop for 3 seconds / speed Scrape the bowl down and repeat.

Step 2

Add the butter. Mix for 20 seconds / speed Transfer the garlic butter to a separate bowl and set aside. Do not refrigerate as you want it to spread easily over the dough.

Step 3

Clean the Thermomix bowl before making the bread dough.

Step 4

Add the milk, yeast and sugar to the Thermomix bowl. Mix for 1 minute / 37 degrees / speed 1.

Step 5

Add the flour, salt and olive oil to the bowl. Mix for 20 seconds / speed Then knead for 5 minutes / DOUGH function.

Step 6

Transfer to a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp tea towel. Leave in a warm place to proof until doubled in size. The time this takes depends on how warm your house is, but it should take around 1.5 - 2 hours.

Step 7

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knock out the air. It should be pillowy and soft.

Step 8

Use your hands to shape it into a rectangle and then use a rolling pin to roll out the rectangle to approximately 45cm x 35cm (18" x 14").

Step 9

Use a knife to spread out the garlic butter all over the bread dough. Save 1-2 tablespoons of the garlic butter to brush over the top of the bread once it is baked. (If you want to add some grated cheese to your garlic bread, now is the time to do it.)

Step 10

Now, starting at the long edge, roll the dough up into a long scroll shape.

Step 11

Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 18 equal portions.

Step 12

Take each portion and stretch the dough over the garlic butter-covered sides. pinch the seams to seal and roll it into a ball so that the garlic butter is tucked inside. You may find it difficult with some of the inside portions to cover up all the garlic butter sides fully - don't worry, just do the best you can.

Step 13

Line a baking tray with baking paper and place the dough balls onto the tray in rows of three (you will have six rows in total). All the balls should be touching each other.

Step 14

Place the baking tray on the top shelf of a cold oven and place a pan or bowl of boiling water in the bottom of the oven. Shut the oven door and leave the dough to rise for 30 minutes. The dough should have doubled in size again.

Step 15

Remove the bread from the oven and cover with a clean tea towel while you wait for the oven to heat up.

Step 16

Heat the oven to 180 C / 360 F.

Step 17

Place the bread back in the oven and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

Step 18

Remove from the oven, brush with the remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with some salt flakes, if desired.

Step 19

Transfer to a wire rack to cool or serve right away.