Instructions
1. Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture:
Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl for 15–30 seconds until just melted. Stir in the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined — this aromatic mixture will infuse the bread with irresistible flavor.
2. Cut the Bread:
Place the sourdough loaf flat on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice diagonally across the bread about two-thirds of the way through, being careful not to cut all the way to the bottom. Then rotate the bread and make diagonal cuts in the opposite direction to create a crisscross pattern. Leave about 1 inch of space around the edges to keep the loaf intact.
3. Add the Garlic Butter:
Gently open the bread sections with your fingers and spoon or brush the garlic butter mixture into the cuts, making sure it seeps into every nook and cranny. Reserve a little bit of the butter mixture for brushing before serving if desired.
4. Add the Cheese:
Stuff shredded mozzarella cheese evenly into all the cuts, making sure each piece is generously filled. The more cheese you tuck inside, the gooier the pull-apart center will be. Lightly press the loaf together to help the ingredients settle in.
