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Few things fill a kitchen with as much comfort as the smell of freshly baked garlic bread oozing with cheese and butter. This cheesy garlic bread recipe gives you the perfect balance of crisp edges and pillowy soft insides all wrapped around an incredible roasted garlic custard. Whether you are serving it with pasta or enjoying it as a party starter this homemade version always disappears within minutes at my table.
I first made this when friends popped in unexpectedly and now they text ahead just to request it at every get-together. Once you try roasted garlic in your bread you will never settle for anything less.
Ingredients
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- Garlic cloves: Choose plump fresh garlic bulbs for sweet mellow flavor when roasted
- Olive oil: Use extra virgin for richer and fruitier roasted garlic
- Salt: Amplifies the natural savoriness and cuts through richness in the bread
- Butter: High quality unsalted butter lets you control the seasoning and creates a soft custard
- Egg: Binds the custard and helps it puff slightly giving that luxurious texture
- Milk: Whole milk brings the creamiest result but any milk works in a pinch
- Paprika: Adds warmth and color opt for smoked if you love depth
- Fresh parsley: Use the freshest you can find for herbal brightness
- King’s Hawaiian Sheet Rolls or French baguette: King’s Hawaiian adds a touch of sweetness and softness baguette gives classic crunch
- Mozzarella cheese: Always shred your own for the best melt and creaminess pre-shredded can be dry
- Parsley and chili flakes: Add color and a gentle kick to finish the bread with flair
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Roast the Garlic:
- Start by simmering whole peeled garlic cloves in olive oil with a pinch of salt. Place them in a small lidded pot or wrap with foil then bake at 400F for about 20 minutes. The cloves should be deeply golden and mash easily with a fork. This step turns harsh garlic into pure savory heaven.
- Make the Garlic Butter Custard:
- Move the roasted garlic to a mixing bowl and mash thoroughly. Pour in melted butter whisk in the egg and milk add the paprika salt and chopped parsley. Whisk this until totally smooth and you notice tiny green flecks from the parsley. This rich custard is what soaks your bread for flavor in every bite.
- Prepare the Bread:
- Once the garlic is roasted lower your oven to 350F. With a sharp chef’s knife slice the loaf or Hawaiian rolls horizontally so you end up with top and bottom slabs. Toast these halves on a baking sheet about 8 to 10 minutes until dry and lightly golden. This gives a foundation sturdy enough to soak up the custard without falling apart.
- Soak and Bake:
- Pour the custard into a shallow dish. Dip the toasted bread halves cut side down into the mixture and ensure both the cut and exterior surfaces are well coated but not falling apart. Return them to the baking sheet and bake again for around 15 to 18 minutes. The bread should look puffed and slightly golden.
- Finish with Cheese:
- Sprinkle generous handfuls of mozzarella over the baked bread and switch your oven to broil. Watch closely as the cheese bubbles and turns golden in just about five minutes. For the final touch sprinkle with parsley and chili flakes before slicing and serving while hot and gooey.
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The smell of the roasted garlic might just make your whole house hungry. I still remember my grandmother covering her garlic bread with extra parsley telling us it brings luck and beauty to anything it touches
Storage Tips
Wrap any leftover garlic bread tightly in foil and chill for up to two or three days. Reheat by popping the bread into a hot oven for a few minutes instead of microwaving so the cheese stays gooey and the crust stays crisp. If you want to freeze slice the bread and wrap individual portions before putting them in a zip top freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature then toast for best results.
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Ingredient Substitutions
If you do not have King’s Hawaiian bread a sturdy French baguette or ciabatta works well just watch the soaking time as denser breads absorb custard at a different rate. For a dairy free version swap the butter for a vegan alternative and use your favorite plant milk and cheese.
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Serving Suggestions
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Nothing beats cheesy garlic bread alongside spaghetti bolognese or a creamy soup. For gatherings cut the bread into bite sized squares and serve with a sprinkle of extra chili for adults. I love it best fresh out of the oven with a cold salad and some sparkling water.
Cultural Inspiration
Garlic bread may seem Italian but the American version with loads of cheese has a personality of its own. Roasting the garlic is a little nod to classic French bistro starters while using Hawaiian bread brings a festive soft texture. Every bite tells the story of comforting family food that always brings people together.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do you roast garlic for this bread?
Peel the garlic cloves, toss with olive oil and salt, then bake covered at 400F until soft and golden before mashing.
- → Which bread works best as the base?
King’s Hawaiian sheet rolls are recommended for their soft, airy texture, but a French baguette also works well.
- → Why use a garlic butter custard?
The custard, blended with mashed garlic and eggs, soaks into the bread for extra flavor and moisture without heaviness.
- → How is the cheese layer prepared?
Shredded mozzarella is spread over baked bread, then broiled until melted and golden for the perfect gooey topping.
- → What’s the best way to serve this bread?
Garnish with chopped parsley and chili flakes, slice into portions, and enjoy warm as an appetizer or accompaniment.