Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread (Pull Apart Bread) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 142 reviews
  • Author: Villerius
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8–10 servings
  • Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread is a delicious pull-apart bread featuring a crusty loaf generously stuffed with garlic butter and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish, this recipe uses a simple yet flavorful garlic butter mixture infused with fresh parsley, baked until the bread is crispy and the cheese is gooey and melted inside. Ideal for sharing, this dish combines crusty sourdough bread with rich, buttery garlic flavor and stretchy cheese for an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Cheese

  • 1 crusty loaf, preferably sourdough or Vienna
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese (or other melting cheese)

Garlic Butter

  • 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

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking your crack bread.
  2. Prepare Garlic Butter: In a heatproof bowl, combine the softened butter with minced garlic and salt. Melt the mixture in the microwave and then stir in the finely chopped fresh parsley to infuse the butter with vibrant flavor.
  3. Cut the Bread: Using a sharp knife, cut the bread diagonally into 2 cm (1 inch) diamond shapes, making sure not to cut all the way through. This creates cracks or pockets for the garlic butter and cheese to fill.
  4. Stuff the Bread: Pry open each crack using your fingers or a knife. Drizzle about a teaspoon of the garlic butter inside each crack and stuff a pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese into each opening. It’s okay if it’s a bit messy; some butter can even be drizzled over the crust for extra flavor.
  5. Brush the Surface: Brush the remaining garlic butter over the surface of the bread, ensuring an even coating that will bake up beautifully.
  6. Bake Covered: Wrap the prepared bread in foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This allows the cheese to melt thoroughly inside the bread.
  7. Bake Uncovered for Crispiness: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes to make the crust nice and crusty.
  8. Serve Immediately: Once baked to perfection, serve the cheese and garlic crack bread immediately for the best experience of warm, gooey cheese and crispy bread.

Notes

  • Make Ahead – For best results when making ahead, use softened butter mixed with garlic, salt, and parsley. Spread it into the cracks and stuff with cheese before wrapping and refrigerating or freezing. Thaw before baking as directed.
  • Quick Reheat – After baking, wrap in foil and refrigerate up to 3 days. To serve, microwave on high for 1.5–2 minutes to melt cheese without losing crustiness.
  • Bread Type – Use dense, crusty bread like sourdough or Vienna loaf. Avoid using uncooked bread dough.
  • Speedy Tip – Instead of melting the butter, cream it and cut the bread in one diagonal direction only, spreading butter generously as you cut. Then make the second cut to form diamonds. This saves time but results in less even butter coverage.
  • Nutrition calculations are based on 10 servings.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approximate)
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 0.5 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg

Find it online: https://emilyscook.com/cheese-and-garlic-crack-bread-pull-apart-bread-recipe/