The Best Garlic Butter Bread

Ingredients

• 1 (16-oz) loaf of French bread
• 3/4 cup salted butter (1 & 1/2 sticks), softened
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (high quality, see notes)
• 5-6 cloves fresh garlic (about 3 tablespoons, see notes)
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped fine (optional)

For cheesy garlic bread (optional)

• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or 8 ounces sliced mozzarella)

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Instructions

1. Make the Garlic Butter:

   • Place 3/4 cup butter in a small bowl. Let it soften to room temperature, or microwave at a low power level (power level 2) in 30-second increments until mostly softened.
   • Add 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. If using unsalted butter, triple the amount of salt.
   • Mince the garlic: Smash and peel 5-6 cloves of garlic, then mince finely and add to the butter mixture.
   • Optional: Add 1 teaspoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme, and 2 tablespoons parsley (finely chopped). Adjust herbs as desired.

2. Crispy-Edge Garlic Bread (My Favorite):

   • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
   • Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise using a serrated knife.
   • Spread the garlic butter generously on the inside of both loaf halves. Coat the edges, including the top edges.
   • Place both halves on a sturdy baking sheet.
   • Bake for 10 minutes until heated through and the butter has melted.
   • Switch the oven to broil on high. Move the rack to the highest position and return the bread to the oven. Broil for 1 minute, or until the top is as toasty as you prefer. Watch closely to avoid burning the garlic.

   Cheese option: Before broiling, sprinkle 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and 1 cup shredded mozzarella on top. Broil for 1-3 minutes until the cheese melts and the edges are crispy.

3. Soft Garlic Bread:

   • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
   • Slice the loaf into 1-inch slices. Spread the garlic butter on one side of each slice.
   • Lay out a large piece of foil and place the buttered slices on it, reshaping into a loaf.
   • Cover with another piece of foil and fold the edges tightly.
   • Bake for 15 minutes until the butter melts. Serve hot!

   Cheese option: Stir 1/4 to 1/2 cup parmesan into the garlic butter, and layer 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese between slices before wrapping in foil. Bake at 325°F for 20 minutes.

4. Fast Garlic Bread:

   • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
   • Slice the loaf into 1-inch slices on the bias and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
   • Spread each slice with the softened garlic butter.
   • Bake for 3-7 minutes, depending on how crispy you want it.

   Cheese option: After butter melts, remove the bread and sprinkle 1/2 cup parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella on top. Broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts.

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Notes

• Garlic Powder: For a quicker option, you can replace fresh garlic with 1 tablespoon garlic powder.
• Hasselback Bread: Some recipes recommend cutting bread without slicing all the way through, but it’s easier to slice fully. The foil keeps the butter from seeping out, and using softened butter helps keep it in place.
• Storage: Store in a sealed container or ziplock bag in the pantry for 3-4 days. To reheat, wrap in foil and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes.
• Freezing: Freeze cooled garlic bread in a ziplock bag or double wrap in foil and plastic wrap. To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Enjoy your delicious, buttery, and crispy (or soft) garlic bread!