Description
This Pull Apart Garlic Bread Wreath is a delightful and visually impressive appetizer made from soft pizza dough balls brushed with a flavorful garlic butter mixture and Parmesan cheese. Baked to golden perfection and served with warm marinara sauce, it’s perfect for sharing at parties or family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Dough Balls
- 1 1/2 pounds pizza dough
For the Garlic Butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Other
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: Let the pizza dough stand at room temperature for 30 minutes up to 1 hour to become more pliable and easier to work with.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid in cleanup.
- Prepare Ramekin: Lightly oil the outside of a 6-ounce ramekin or coat it with nonstick spray, then place it in the center of the prepared baking sheet and fill it with water to keep the bread moist during baking.
- Shape Dough Balls: Using a digital scale, divide the dough into 1-ounce pieces, yielding about 22-24 balls. Press each piece into a disk and then shape it into a round ball for even baking.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with chopped parsley, minced garlic, and kosher salt to infuse a rich garlic flavor.
- Assemble Bread Wreath: Arrange the dough balls on the baking sheet in a circular pattern around the ramekin. Brush the tops generously with the garlic butter mixture and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the dough balls turn golden brown and cooked through.
- Finishing Touch: Carefully remove the ramekin and discard the water. Fill the ramekin with warm marinara sauce and return it to the center of the baking sheet. Brush the tops of the bread balls with any remaining garlic butter mixture for extra flavor and shine.
- Serve: Serve the bread wreath immediately while warm, encouraging everyone to pull apart the soft, buttery bread and dip into the flavorful marinara sauce.
Notes
- Letting the dough rest at room temperature improves texture and makes shaping easier.
- Using a ramekin filled with water helps keep the bread moist while baking.
- Fresh parsley and garlic give the bread a vibrant, fresh flavor.
- You can substitute fresh parsley with dried if unavailable, adjusting the quantity accordingly.
- Ensure to serve warm for the best texture and dipping experience.
- Leftover bread can be reheated in an oven at low temperature to regain crispiness.
