Garlic Butter Bread Loaf (Printable version)

A warm loaf with crisp crust and soft, buttery, garlicky center—great as a savory side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 1 large French baguette or Italian loaf

→ Garlic Butter

02 - 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Slice the bread in half horizontally and place both halves, cut side facing up, on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese if using; mix until smooth.
04 - Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of both bread halves.
05 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges turn golden and butter is bubbling. Optionally, broil for 1 to 2 minutes for enhanced crispiness.
06 - Cut into 8 slices and serve warm.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It feels like a little secret treat that elevates any meal without much fuss
  • The perfect balance of crispy crust and soft, flavorful center makes it impossible to stop at one slice
02 -
  • Softening the butter instead of melting keeps that perfect spreadable consistency without turning oily
  • Broiling at the end changes everything—don't skip it if you love extra crunch
03 -
  • Use room temperature unsalted butter to ensure a smooth blend with herbs and garlic
  • The last-minute broil step seals in crispiness while keeping the center soft and indulgently buttery

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