Save Irresistibly fluffy pull-apart bread, infused with garlic butter and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese—perfect as a side or party snack.
This soft garlic Parmesan pull-apart bread quickly became my family's favorite weekend treat. The smell alone fills the house with warmth and comfort.
Ingredients
- Dough: 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour, 2¼ tsp (7 g) active dry yeast, 1 tbsp (12 g) granulated sugar, 1 tsp (6 g) salt, 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk (about 110°F/43°C), ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter melted, 1 large egg
- Garlic Butter: ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter melted, 4 garlic cloves finely minced, 2 tbsp (8 g) fresh parsley chopped, ½ tsp salt
- Topping: ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp (4 g) chopped fresh parsley (for garnish optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large mixing bowl combine the warm milk sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Step 2:
- Add melted butter egg and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Step 3:
- Gradually add flour mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 6 8 minutes by hand or with a stand mixer until smooth and elastic.
- Step 4:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Step 5:
- Meanwhile prepare garlic butter by mixing melted butter minced garlic parsley and salt in a bowl.
- Step 6:
- Punch down the risen dough. Divide into 16 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
- Step 7:
- Dip each dough ball in the garlic butter then arrange them in a greased 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan or springform pan. Sprinkle half the Parmesan cheese between layers if stacking.
- Step 8:
- Cover pan loosely and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Step 9:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 10:
- Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the dough balls.
- Step 11:
- Bake for 25 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 12:
- Cool slightly then garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Save Sharing this bread has brought so many warm family moments at our dinner table and celebrations.
Preparation Tips
Make sure the milk is warm not hot to activate the yeast properly for the best rise.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature and reheat gently before serving.
Variation Ideas
Add Italian seasoning or chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the garlic butter for extra flavor twists.
Save This soft garlic Parmesan pull-apart bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser perfect for any occasion.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I ensure the bread is soft and fluffy?
Allow the dough to rise fully twice and knead well to develop gluten structure, creating a tender and airy texture.
- → Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
Yes, substituting up to half the flour with whole wheat adds nuttiness while maintaining softness, though texture may be denser.
- → What’s the best way to incorporate garlic flavor evenly?
Dip each dough piece into melted garlic butter before arranging them, ensuring rich, even distribution throughout.
- → How long should the dough rise for optimal results?
Let the dough rise for 1 hour initially, then another 30 minutes after shaping to obtain a light, puffy loaf.
- → Can I prepare this bread ahead of time?
Yes, it can be made in advance and gently reheated before serving to preserve freshness and flavor.
- → What are good garnish options besides parsley?
Fresh herbs like oregano or basil complement the garlic butter and Parmesan, adding a fresh aroma and color.