Description
This Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread is a delightful pull-apart loaf featuring a crusty exterior and a gooey, cheesy garlic center. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, it combines melted Mozzarella cheese with garlic-infused butter, baked to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and ideal for sharing, this savory bread will quickly become a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 crusty loaf (preferably sourdough or Vienna)
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese (or other melting cheese)
- 100 g / 1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180C (350F) to prepare for baking the bread.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a heatproof bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, and salt. Melt the mixture in the microwave until fully combined and warm, then stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
- Score the Bread: Cut the bread diagonally into 2cm (about 1 inch) diamond shapes, being careful not to cut all the way through the loaf to maintain the structure for stuffing.
- Fill the Cracks: Gently pry open each scored section using your fingers or a knife. Drizzle a teaspoon of the garlic butter into each crack, then stuff in a small pinch of shredded cheese. Don’t worry about neatness; some butter over the crust adds to the flavor.
- Butter the Surface: Use remaining garlic butter to brush the surface of the bread generously.
- Bake the Bread: Wrap the bread loosely in foil and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is mostly melted. Then unwrap the bread and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to get a crispy, golden crust.
- Serve: Serve the bread immediately while warm and gooey for the best eating experience.
Notes
- For make-ahead preparation, assemble the bread, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before baking. When ready to serve, bake as directed.
- You can substitute Mozzarella with other melting cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyere for different flavor profiles.
- To add extra flavor, consider sprinkling some crushed red pepper flakes or grated Parmesan on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
