Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F). Preheating is an essential step in baking, as it ensures that the oven reaches the correct temperature before you place the bread inside. This helps to create an even cooking environment, allowing the garlic bread to bake thoroughly and achieve the perfect texture. While the oven heats up, you can move on to preparing the garlic butter mixture.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Ensure that the butter is at room temperature to make mixing easier; if it’s too hard, you can microwave it for a few seconds, but be careful not to melt it. Use a fork or a spatula to mix all the ingredients until they are well combined, resulting in a smooth, creamy mixture. This garlic butter will be the flavorful base that elevates your garlic bread.
Spread on the Bread: Next, take your baguette or ciabatta and slice it in half lengthwise. If you’re using a baguette, make sure to cut it evenly to create two long pieces. Use your knife or an offset spatula to spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over each piece of bread. Ensure that you cover the entire surface to maximize the garlic flavor in every bite. Don’t be shy with the butter; a generous amount will result in richer, more flavorful garlic bread.
Wrap and Bake: Once the bread is fully coated with the garlic butter, wrap each half in aluminum foil. This will help to keep the moisture in and allow the flavors to meld together as it bakes. Place the wrapped bread on a baking sheet for easy handling and to catch any drips. Then, place it in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. During this time, the heat will soften the bread and infuse it with the delicious garlic flavor.
Crisp the Edges: After the initial baking time, carefully unwrap the foil to expose the bread. This step is crucial for achieving that crispy, golden exterior that garlic bread is known for. Return the bread to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t burn. The edges should become crisp and the tops lightly golden, creating a delightful contrast to the soft interior.