Gooey Tear & Share Cheesy Bread Recipe
This Gooey Tear & Share Cheesy Bread is a delightful and fun appetizer perfect for parties and cozy gatherings. Featuring creamy Camembert and tangy goat cheese melted inside a crusty round loaf of Italian or sourdough bread, this recipe creates a warm, cheesy dip right in the bread itself. Infused with fragrant garlic and rosemary oil and topped with sea salt flakes, it’s easy to prepare, irresistibly gooey, and great for sharing with family and friends.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings depending on loaf size 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Cheeses
- 9 ounce (255g) round of Camembert Cheese
- 3 1/2 ounce (100g) round of goats cheese
Bread
- 1 (1 pound) loaf of Italian or Sour Dough bread, unsliced (a round loaf is best)
Seasonings & Herbs
- 1 fat clove of garlic, peeled
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves stripped from stalk
- 3/4 tsp sea salt flakes
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil (quantity approx. 2-3 tbsp)
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4). Line a large baking sheet with foil and butter it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the cheese: Trim and discard any rind from the Camembert and goat cheese, then roughly chop the cheeses into bite-sized pieces for melting.
- Hollow out bread center: Using a knife, hollow out a round section in the middle of the loaf about 4 1/2 inches across and 1 1/2 inches deep to create a bowl for the melted cheese.
- Score the loaf: Cut the remaining bread around and across in a crosshatch pattern, cutting nearly to the bottom, with cuts spaced about 1 inch apart to create tearable pieces.
- Make herb oil: Finely chop the garlic and rosemary leaves, then whisk together with olive oil and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl.
- Brush herb oil: Generously brush the garlic-rosemary oil all over the loaf, ensuring it penetrates into the cuts to infuse flavor throughout.
- Fill with cheese and season: Place the chopped cheeses into the hollowed-out bread center and sprinkle the whole loaf with sea salt flakes for a flavorful finish. Cover the entire loaf loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Place the prepared loaf on the baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, until the bread is golden brown, the cheese is melted, gooey, and bubbling beautifully.
- Serve hot: Remove from oven and serve immediately while warm. Guests can tear off pieces of bread and dip them into the melted cheese for a delicious, interactive experience.
- Enjoy and share: This dish is perfect for sharing at parties or casual gatherings, and can be adapted to smaller portions using smaller loaves or rolls.
Notes
- Use a round loaf of Italian or sourdough bread for best results; however, any crusty loaf with a sturdy crust works well.
- Feel free to substitute or add other melty cheeses like Reblochon or Swiss to customize flavor and texture.
- You can vary the herbs based on preference—thyme or oregano also complement cheese wonderfully.
- Save the bread pieces hollowed out from the center to use for dipping.
- Covering loosely with foil during baking prevents excessive browning while allowing cheese to melt properly.
- This recipe can easily be scaled down by using individual crusty rolls to make personal servings.
- The garlic and rosemary oil not only adds flavor but also helps crisp the bread edges in the cuts.
Keywords: cheesy bread, tear and share, appetizer, baked cheese bread, Camembert, goat cheese, party food, New Year's Eve snack