Garlic Bread Basket Recipe
Make Garlic Bread Basket Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Bread & Butter
Assembly & Finish
Method
Bread & Butter
- 1
Prepare the garlic butter
In a medium bowl, combine softened unsalted butter (1 cup) with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add minced garlic (6 cloves), 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Mix thoroughly until smooth and uniformly blended. Stir in optional 1 teaspoon finely chopped basil and 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan if using. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.
- 2
Slice the loaf
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a serrated knife, slice the baguette on the diagonal into 1 to 1.25-inch thick slices, cutting almost through but leaving the bottom connected if you want a pull-apart basket, or cut completely through for individual slices. If making a basket, do alternating-angle cuts across the loaf about 1-inch apart so pieces remain attached at the base.
- 3
Spread butter into slices
If loaf is cut through: spread about 1 tablespoon of garlic butter between each slice on both sides using a small knife, making sure butter reaches interior crumb. If loaf is a pull-apart: use a spoon or offset spatula to push garlic butter into each cut pocket so it coats interior bread.
Assembly & Finish
- 4
Add cheese (optional) and wrap
If using shredded mozzarella, tuck a small pinch (about 1 tablespoon total per several slices) of cheese between slices or sprinkle over the top so it melts into pockets. Place the prepared loaf on a large sheet of foil. Optional: brush exterior crust lightly with 2 tablespoons melted butter to encourage browning. Wrap the loaf loosely in the foil, leaving the top slightly open if you prefer a crisper crust.
- 5
Bake
Bake wrapped (or unwrapped for a crisper top) in the preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 12–18 minutes. If wrapped, open the foil for the last 3–5 minutes and switch oven to broil (or increase temp to 425°F / 220°C) to brown the top and melt cheese, watching closely to avoid burning.
- 6
Finish and serve
Remove loaf from oven and transfer to a serving board. Unwrap foil and sprinkle with remaining chopped parsley and optional grated Parmesan. If you kept a few extra tablespoons of garlic butter, brush the top for extra gloss. Serve immediately as a pull-apart basket or plate the individual slices. Recommend serving with marinara or a dipping oil.