Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Loaf
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350∘F or 375∘F.
Slice the Bread: Place the loaf on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the bread into a criss-cross or cross-hatch pattern of 1-inch thick slices.
Crucial Step: Be careful not to slice all the way through the bottom crust. The cuts should only go about three-quarters of the way down, leaving the bottom intact to hold the "casserole" together.
Wrap Pan: Line a baking sheet with a large piece of aluminum foil—this will be used to cover the bread later. Place the sliced loaf on the foil.
Step 2: Prepare and Apply the Filling
Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened or melted butter, minced garlic, and dried parsley (or Italian seasoning).
Stuff with Cheese: Gently pry open the crevices created by the slicing and begin stuffing the shredded cheesedeep inside the cuts. Make sure the cheese goes as far down as possible.
Drizzle Butter: Use a brush or a spoon to drizzle the garlic butter mixture into all the cracks and crevices of the bread. Brush any remaining butter over the top crust.
Step 3: Bake and Serve
Cover and Bake: Bring the aluminum foil up and around the loaf, wrapping it completely. This steaming step ensures the butter soaks in and the cheese melts evenly without the crust burning.
Bake: Bake the covered loaf for 20 minutes.
Uncover and Crisp: Pull back the foil and continue baking uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling, melted, and the top is golden brown and crisp.
Serve: Let the loaf rest for a few minutes before transferring it to a serving platter. Encourage guests to tear off the cheesy, buttery squares immediately while the cheese is still wonderfully melty and stretchy.
This pull-apart bread is truly an interactive eating experience and a simple way to elevate your next potluck!
