Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread (Printer-friendly)

A warm loaf stuffed with melted cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs, perfect for sharing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 1 large round sourdough loaf (approximately 1.1 pounds)

→ Garlic Butter

02 - 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Cheese

08 - 7 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
09 - 3.5 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
10 - 1.75 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Using a serrated knife, cut the bread diagonally into ¾-inch wide slices, stopping before cutting through the base; rotate and repeat to form a crosshatch pattern.
03 - Combine softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, chives (if used), salt, and pepper in a bowl; mix thoroughly.
04 - Gently separate the bread sections and evenly spread the garlic butter mixture into all crevices.
05 - Distribute mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses evenly into the cuts throughout the loaf.
06 - Place the assembled loaf on the prepared tray, loosely cover with foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
07 - Remove foil and bake an additional 8 to 10 minutes until cheese bubbles and the top turns golden.
08 - Serve immediately, encouraging guests to pull apart the bread pieces.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but takes less than twenty minutes to prep, which means you can throw it together right before guests arrive.
  • The bread gets crispy on top while staying soft inside, and every pull releases a strand of melted cheese.
  • You can adjust the garlic and herbs to suit your mood without following any strict rules.
02 -
  • Don't cut through the bottom of the loaf or the whole thing will fall apart when you try to stuff it.
  • Softening the butter completely is key, cold butter won't spread into the cuts and you'll end up with uneven flavor.
  • Wrapping it in foil first prevents the top from burning before the inside gets hot and melty.
03 -
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter if you want a subtle kick that wakes up the whole dish.
  • Brushing a little extra melted butter on top before the final bake gives you a shiny, golden crust that looks bakery perfect.
  • Let the bread rest for two minutes after baking so the cheese sets slightly and doesn't slide out when you pull it apart.
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