Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

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Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

This savory, cheesy garlic pull-apart bread is the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack. With gooey melted cheese tucked into every fluffy layer, it’s the kind of comfort food that disappears in minutes. Perfect for parties, family dinners, or whenever you crave something warm, buttery, and garlicky.

Unlike typical pull-apart breads, this version uses layered rectangles of homemade dough, infused with garlic butter and stacked for that signature cheesy bite in every piece. Yes, it takes a little effort, but the result? Absolutely worth it.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup lukewarm water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup warm milk
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 large egg, beaten

For the Garlic Butter and Filling:

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • 4 oz deli-sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 green onions, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the yeast, lukewarm water, and sugar. Stir and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. If it doesn’t foam, start again with fresh yeast and cooler water.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the warm milk, melted butter, beaten egg, and the activated yeast mixture.
  3. Mix until a dough forms. Knead by hand on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes (or in a stand mixer with dough hook for 5 minutes) until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the Garlic Butter Filling:

  1. In a small pan, cook the minced garlic and chopped green onions in olive oil and butter until fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in parsley and a pinch of salt. Remove from heat.

Assemble the Pull-Apart Bread:

  1. Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a 16-inch by 12-inch rectangle. Brush the surface with the garlic butter mixture.
  2. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.
  3. Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough vertically into 4 equal strips. Then cut each strip into 5 rectangles (for a total of 20 pieces).
  4. Lightly grease a loaf pan and stand it upright on one end. Stack the dough rectangles and carefully place them into the pan so they sit upright like a deck of cards.
  5. Cover the loaf with a towel and let it rest for 15–20 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake:

  1. Bake the loaf for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and the center is cooked through.
  2. Remove from oven and brush the top with any remaining garlic butter. Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

  • Use a serrated knife to cut the bread easily.
  • This bread is best served warm—perfectly melty and irresistible.
  • Great for dipping in marinara or enjoying on its own.

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