Dry toasting the garlic cloves before mixing them in with the buttery topping is what makes this the best garlic bread.
This recipe for the best garlic bread is not one I can claim as my own because I found it over at America’s Test Kitchen many years ago. However since then I’ve made it to rave reviews for numerous groups of people including clients when I used to cater. Did you know I used to cater and people paid me money to cook for them? That’s a whole other story for another day.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Dry toasting the cloves is the key to making this garlic bread the best. The peels stay on as the garlic gets warm and toasty in a skillet which removes the bitter, raw garlic flavor and leaves behind sweet, nutty deliciousness. Once the garlic is toasted, the skins are removed before adding it to the softened butter.
The softened butter is then combined with fresh-grated Parmesan cheese, a little salt and ground pepper before being spread atop the bread. The other key to making the best garlic bread is making sure to buy the best loaf you can find. I usually use a French loaf from Panera. It smells heavenly as it’s baking in the oven.
Serving suggestions
Garlic bread is a classic side dish for pastas and soups. Here’s some of my recipe suggestions for serving with this garlic bread –
The Best Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 10 medium garlic cloves unpeeled
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb Artisan loaf of bread halved lengthwise
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to lower-third position and heat to 500 degrees.
- Toast garlic cloves in a small skillet over medium heat, shaking pan occasionally, until fragrant and color of cloves deepens, about 8 minutes.
- When garlic cloves are cool enough to handle, skin and mince or press cloves through a garlic press. Using a dinner fork, mash garlic, softened butter, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pinch of pepper in a bowl until thoroughly combined
- Spread cut sides of loaf evenly with garlic butter. Transfer loaf halves, buttered side up, onto a baking sheet. Bake at 500 degrees for 8-10 minutes, until top is golden brown. Cut each half into 2-inch slices and serve immediately.
- Prepared bread can also be loosely wrapped in foil and kept in warm oven to keep fresh while dinner is being finished and served.
Nutrition
Foodtastic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program (Amazon Associate), an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any highlighted, clickable Amazon links you see are affiliate links that I may earn advertising fees on when you click to purchase.
Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of Foodtastic Mom. Be sure to PIN to Pinterest and print this recipe! Like and tag ‘Foodtastic Mom’ on Facebook and Instagram if you make this recipe! And of course leave a star rating if you make any of my recipes and enjoy them!
Leave a Reply