Crispy Garlic Bread (ATK)

By hmp13

Start with a soft Italian bread, not a rustic, crusty loaf. Use a rasp grater or the small holes of a box grater to grate the garlic

Ingredients

• 12 tablespoons butter, softened
• 4 garlic cloves, grated or minced
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 12 (1-inch) slices Italian bread

Preparation

Step 1

Adjust oven rack to middle position, place rimmed baking sheet on rack, and heat oven to 425 degrees. Using fork, beat butter, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper in small bowl until combined. Spread butter mixture evenly over both sides of bread.

Arrange buttered bread on heated baking sheet and bake until golden brown on first side, 8 to 10 minutes. Flip and bake until golden brown on second side, about 5 minutes. Serve

Cheesy Chipotle Crispy Garlic Bread
Add 2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo to butter mixture in step 1. Sprinkle bread with 1 ½ cups shredded pepper jack cheese in last minute of baking.
Spicy Pesto Garlic Bread
Add 3 tablespoons pesto and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to butter mixture in step 1.
Olive and Thyme Garlic Bread
Add 2 tablespoons black olive tapenade and 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme to butter mixture in step 1.
Cheddar-Chive Garlic Bread
Add 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives to butter mixture in step 1. Sprinkle bread with 1 ½ cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese in last minute of baking.