Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this mouthwatering Garlic Bread Dip that blends creamy cheese, aromatic herbs, and golden-brown bread. Rich flavors mingle perfectly, promising a delightful appetizer you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) softened cream cheese
- 6 ounces (170 grams) finely shredded mozzarella
- 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) mayonnaise
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 3 heads garlic tops sliced off crosswise
- 2 shallots one end of each sliced off
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) minced parsley
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) thinly sliced chives
Oils and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Instructions
- Roast whole garlic heads and shallots wrapped in foil at 375˚F for approximately 1 hour, ensuring they develop a rich, caramelized flavor.
- Allow roasted garlic and shallots to cool for 15 minutes before carefully unwrapping the foil packet.
- Create a creamy base by blending softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, chives, parsley, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Squeeze roasted garlic cloves and shallots directly into the mixture, mashing thoroughly to incorporate their intense, mellow flavor.
- Fold in mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, stirring until evenly distributed throughout the creamy mixture.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent heating.
- Generously top the dip with additional mozzarella and parmesan cheese for a golden, crispy surface.
- Bake at 375˚F for 15 minutes until the dip is heated through and the cheese becomes melted and bubbly.
- Finish under the broiler for 1 minute to achieve a beautifully bronzed top with crispy edges.
- Serve immediately with an assortment of crackers and crostini for dipping.
- For advanced preparation, assemble the entire dip up to 3 days in advance, covering tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerating.
- When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap and bake, adding an extra 5 minutes to ensure proper heating.
- Experiment with flavor variations by substituting cheeses, adding herbs like dill or tarragon, incorporating crispy bacon, or introducing heat with jalapeños or hot sauce.
- For added complexity, consider mixing in fresh corn kernels or exploring alternative cheese options like gruyere or asiago.
Notes
- Roast garlic and shallots low and slow to develop deep, rich flavors that will elevate the entire dip’s taste profile.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smoother, more even mixing without lumps when combining ingredients.
- Customize the dip by experimenting with different cheese combinations like gruyere or asiago for unique flavor variations.
- Prepare the dip ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 3 days, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining or last-minute gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 225 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg