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Pull-Apart Cheese Bread
Alyssa

Pull-Apart Cheese Bread

Delicious pull-apart cheese bread, loaded with gooey cheese and herbs. Perfect for sharing as a warm, cheesy appetizer at any gathering.
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. round sourdough bread loaf: The base of the dish sourdough provides a delightful tang and crusty texture that perfectly complements the melted cheese.
  • 1 6- to 8- oz. jar prepared pesto: This flavorful spread adds a fresh herbaceous note enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
  • 1 8- oz. bag shredded mozzarella cheese: Known for its excellent melting properties mozzarella creates that deliciously gooey texture that is crucial in a cheese bread.
  • Nonstick cooking spray: This ensures that the foil does not stick to the bread during baking.

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350˚F (175˚C).
  2. Prepare your bread: Take the 1 lb. round sourdough bread loaf and slice it. Make parallel cuts about 3/4-inch thick, ensuring you cut down without going all the way through the bottom of the loaf. This creates a fan of spaces for the pesto and cheese.
  3. Create a diamond pattern: Rotate the loaf 45 degrees and slice it again to form a diamond pattern. This will maximize the flavor absorption of the pesto and mozzarella.
  4. Fill the slices: Spread 1 6- to 8-oz. jar of prepared pesto in between the bread slices. Press the slices gently to help the pesto seep into the gaps.
  5. Add mozzarella: Fill the grooves and spaces you created in the bread with 1 8-oz. bag of shredded mozzarella cheese, making sure to distribute it evenly.
  6. Wrap in foil: Take a piece of foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Wrap it around the loaf securely.
  7. Bake the bread: Place the wrapped loaf onto a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted, approximately 30 minutes.
  8. Broil for finish: After 30 minutes, remove the bread from the foil and place the loaf back on the baking sheet. Increase the oven temperature to broil, and broil the bread for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the top is golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.