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Cheesy Garlic Butter Focaccia Pull-Apart Bread

Cheesy Garlic Butter Focaccia Pull-Apart Bread - featured image
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This easy homemade pull-apart bread combines fluffy focaccia dough, gooey cheese, and rich garlic butter for a showstopping party centerpiece. Perfect for gatherings, it’s a hands-on, shareable bread that’s both comforting and irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
  • 2 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast or active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons (10g) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (6g) kosher salt (plus more for topping)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (4g) fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • ½ teaspoon (2g) dried Italian herbs (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup (80g) provolone, shredded (or cheddar)
  • Optional: Extra herbs (rosemary, thyme, or chives)
  • Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Optional: Sea salt flakes

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. (If using active dry yeast, let it sit in the warm water with sugar for 5 minutes until foamy before adding to the flour mixture.)
  2. Knead the dough gently in the bowl for about 2-3 minutes (it will be sticky) or use a stand mixer on low for 1 minute. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for 45-60 minutes, until doubled.
  3. While the dough rises, melt butter and stir in minced garlic, parsley, and Italian herbs. Set aside.
  4. Punch down the dough and divide into 18-20 equal pieces (about 35g each). Flatten each piece slightly, add a pinch of the cheese mixture (mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone), then pinch closed and roll into balls.
  5. Grease your baking pan. Arrange dough balls snugly in the pan. Brush generously with garlic butter, getting into every crevice. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Uncover pan, brush again with garlic butter. Sprinkle extra cheese and herbs on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
  7. Let cool for 5 minutes. Brush with any remaining garlic butter. Pull-apart and serve warm.

Notes

Let the dough be sticky for a lighter texture. Proof in a warm spot for best rise. Brush garlic butter generously for maximum flavor. For gluten-free or vegan versions, substitute flour and cheese as needed. Serve warm for best texture; leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen and reheated.

Nutrition

Keywords: focaccia, pull-apart bread, cheesy bread, garlic butter, party appetizer, Italian bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, crowd-pleaser, comfort food

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/cheesy-garlic-butter-focaccia-pull-apart-bread-easy-homemade-party-recipe/