Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread Appetizer

This pull-apart bread is delicious and perfect for a party,

 watching the game or for dinner with a salad.

Ingredients:

1 oval loaf of bread

1/2 - 3/4 pound thinly sliced cheese (jack, provolone, swiss or cheddar.)

1 stick butter, softened

4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)

1/2 cup chopped spring (green) onions 

1/2 cup crumbled real bacon bits (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 200*. Line a baking sheet with foil. Make vertical slices in bread, one inch apart, being careful not to cut completely through the loaf. Next make horizontal slices, one inch apart, in the loaf. Place slices of cheese inside of all of the vertical and horizontal cuts into the bread.  Using a fork, thoroughly mix remaining ingredients. Spread the butter mixture over the top of the cheese filled loaf. 

Cover loaf with foil and bake in top third of oven for 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 250*. Remove loaf from oven. Remove foil covering loaf and return to oven for 20 more minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Notes: I like the potency of fresh chopped garlic, but my husband prefers the muted flavor of garlic powder. I used an "Italian" loaf of bread, but any loaf, including Hawaiian can be used. Jack cheese worked well.