Ultimate Garlic Cheese Bread Recipe | Soft Pull‑Apart Loaf with Stringy Cheese

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Transform your kitchen into an artisan bakery with this garlic cheese pull‑apart bread recipe. Each tear‑away layer is slathered in fragrant garlic butter and stuffed with stringy mozzarella, making it the ultimate savory treat. Perfect for garlic lovers and party spreads alike.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Cheese Bread

Fragrant garlic butter: Honey‑sweetened and parsley‑brightened for depth.
Soft, tender crumb: High‑gluten flour yields the perfect pull‑apart texture.
Ultra‑melty cheese: 140 g of mozzarella ensures every bite stretches.
Show‑stopping presentation: Baked in a 450 g toast mold for tall, uniform slices.

Ultimate Garlic Cheese Pull‑Apart Bread Recipe

Prep & Mixing	Proofing	Baking	Total Time
20 minutes	1 hr 40 min	30 minutes	~3 hours

Ingredients You'll Need

Dough Base (for one 450 g loaf):

• 300 g high‑gluten bread flour

For consistent rise and chew, try a reliable bread flour—find a quality option here.

• 140 g whole milk, warmed
• 5 g instant dry yeast
• 15 g granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 5 g fine salt
• 20 g unsalted butter, softened
• 40 g cream cheese, softened

A tangy cream cheese adds extra richness—grab my favorite brand here.

Garlic Butter Filling:

• 70 g unsalted butter, melted

Use a flavorful European‑style butter for best aroma— shop here

• 40 g fresh garlic, minced
• 16 g honey
• 1 g fresh parsley, finely chopped

Cheese Layer:

• 140 g shredded mozzarella cheese

Look for a high‑moisture mozzarella for ultimate stretch—see it here

Equipment

• Stand mixer with dough hook (or a large mixing bowl and strong hands)
• 450 g (8 × 4 inch) pull‑apart toast mold
• Rolling pin
• Plastic wrap
• Small bowl and brush

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

Activate Yeast & Combine Liquids

• In a small bowl, dissolve 5 g yeast in 140 g warm milk.
• Stir in 15 g sugar and beaten egg, then let sit 5 minutes until foamy.

Mix & Knead the Dough

• In the mixer bowl, combine the foamy milk mixture with 300 g flour.
• Mix on low until a rough dough forms, then add 5 g salt, 20 g butter, and 40 g cream cheese.
• Knead on medium speed until the dough is smooth and passes the windowpane test (about 8–10 minutes).

First Proof

• Shape dough into a ball, place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap.
• Proof at 28 °C (82 °F) for 1 hour, until doubled in size.

Prepare Fillings

• While the dough proofs, mix 70 g melted butter, 40 g minced garlic, 16 g honey, and 1 g parsley in a small bowl.
• Keep 140 g mozzarella on hand for layering.

Shape the Pull‑Apart Loaf

• Gently deflate the dough and roll into a 30 × 20 cm rectangle.
• Spread garlic butter evenly, then sprinkle mozzarella over the surface.
• Cut the rectangle into 6 × 5 cm strips, stack each strip—cheese‑side up—and place stacks horizontally into the mold.

Second Proof

• Cover the filled mold and proof at 35 °C (95 °F) for 30 minutes, until the dough reaches just below the top of the pan.
• Brush the crust with egg yolk wash for a golden finish.

Bake

• Preheat oven to 170 °C (338 °F).
• Bake for 30 minutes until the top is deep golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Finish & Serve

• Immediately remove the loaf from the pan.
• While still hot, brush with 10 g melted butter and sprinkle extra parsley.
• Pull apart and enjoy the fragrant, cheesy layers.

Quick Process Overview

Pro Tips & Variations

Extra garlic punch: Roast the garlic first for a sweeter, mellow flavor.

Herb blend: Mix in ½ tsp dried Italian herbs with the garlic butter.

Spicy kick: Add 1 tsp chili flakes to the butter mixture for heat.

Cheese swap: Combine mozzarella with cheddar or Gruyère for depth.

Storage & Reheating

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Freeze: Slice and freeze in zip bags for up to 1 month; reheat at 160 °C (320 °F) for 5 minutes.
Reheat: Warm slices in a toaster oven for 3–4 minutes to refresh that pull‑apart texture.

Bring out the garlic and cheese in every layer of this pull‑apart loaf—perfect alongside soups, salads, or simply on its own. Enjoy a taste of bakery‑style garlic cheese bread at home!

Want More?

Looking for more cheesy comfort food? Try the oozier Homemade Garlic Cheese Burst Bread.