Ingredients
Bread
- Half a loaf of French bread (about 8 ounces), or a full loaf of Italian bread
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, cut into chunks
- 1 large clove garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prep: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Soften Butter: Soften the stick of salted butter by microwaving it in short increments until it becomes spreadable but not melted.
- Add Fresh Garlic: Grate the large clove of garlic directly into the softened butter to infuse fresh flavor.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir in the garlic powder, finely grated Parmesan cheese, and minced fresh parsley until fully combined. If the mixture is too runny, chill it briefly in the refrigerator to firm up.
- Prepare Bread: Cut the bread in half lengthwise to create two large pieces for spreading.
- Spread Butter Mixture: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread, ensuring a thick and even layer.
- Bake: Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and bake in the middle rack of the oven for 9-10 minutes. For extra browning, bake an additional 1-2 minutes as desired.
- Serve: Remove the garlic bread from the oven, slice into portions, and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using fresh garlic provides a bright and pungent garlic flavor that’s superior to just garlic powder.
- Adjust the amount of Parmesan cheese and parsley to suit your taste preferences.
- For crispier garlic bread, place the bread closer to the top of the oven during the final baking minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Store any leftover garlic bread wrapped in foil at room temperature and reheat in the oven for best texture.
- This recipe can be easily doubled or halved depending on the number of servings needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
