This Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Wreath is a fun and tasty addition to any meal! Fluffy bread is packed with gooey cheese and flavored with savory garlic, making each piece a little bite of joy.
Honestly, this wreath shines at parties—everyone loves tearing off a piece! I love to serve it warm so the cheese is all melty and delicious. Perfect for sharing (or not)! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This provides the structure for your wreath. If you’re gluten-free, try a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. It usually works well as a substitute.
Active Dry Yeast: Essential for rising! If you have instant yeast, feel free to use that instead—just mix it directly with your flour.
Mozzarella Cheese: This gives that wonderful stretch and gooeyness. For a fun twist, feel free to use cheddar or a cheese blend if you prefer a sharper flavor.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is best for flavor! If you’re short on fresh garlic, you can replace each clove with 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Butter: Unsalted butter is more common, but if you only have salted butter, just skip the added salt in the recipe.
What’s the Best Way to Get the Dough to Rise Perfectly?
Getting your dough to rise well is key for a fluffy pull-apart wreath. Here’s how to do that:
- Make sure your yeast is fresh. If the mixture doesn’t foam after 5-10 minutes, it may be inactive.
- Find a warm spot in your kitchen! If it’s chilly, you could preheat your oven for a minute, turn it off, then place the dough inside with the door closed to help it rise.
- Don’t rush! Allow the dough to double in size, which usually takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours—patience pays off!
Following these tips should lead to a nice, fluffy wreath which is super easy to pull apart!
How to Make a Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Wreath
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe involves about 15-20 minutes of prep time, plus about 1 to 1 ½ hours for the dough to rise. After that, it takes around 25-30 minutes to bake. In total, you should set aside about 2 hours to make this delicious pull-apart wreath, but most of that time is the dough rising. It’s worth the wait!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Activating the Yeast:
In a large mixing bowl, mix the warm water with the sugar and active dry yeast. Let this sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This means your yeast is active and ready to help your dough rise!
2. Making the Dough:
Next, add the olive oil, salt, and flour to your foamy yeast mixture. Stir everything together until a shaggy dough forms. Now, knead the dough by hand or using a dough hook on medium speed for about 7-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic—this is essential for getting that fluffy bread texture!
3. Letting the Dough Rise:
Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap and set it in a warm, draft-free spot to rise until it has doubled in size, which will take about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
4. Prepare the Garlic Butter:
While the dough is rising, you can prepare the garlic butter. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder if you’re using it. Set this aside; your kitchen will soon smell amazing!
5. Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). To make sure your wreath comes out easily, grease a 9-inch bundt pan or wreath pan with butter or non-stick spray.
6. Shaping the Dough:
After the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and divide the dough into approximately 30-35 equal pieces, each about 1 ½ inches in diameter.
7. Filling the Dough Balls:
Take each piece of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Add a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan in the center. Pinch the dough closed around the cheese to form a ball, ensuring the cheese is fully enclosed.
8. Arranging in the Pan:
Dip each filled dough ball in your garlic butter mixture before placing it seam side down in the greased bundt pan. Arrange the balls closely in a circular pattern until the pan is full.
9. Final Butter Brush:
Once all dough balls are placed, brush the top generously with the leftover garlic butter. This will give it a beautiful flavor and color!
10. Baking:
Bake your wreath in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and the cheese is bubbled and melty. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
11. Cooling and Serving:
After baking, remove the wreath from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a serving plate. Don’t forget to garnish with some extra fresh parsley for a pop of color!
12. Enjoy!
Serve the pull-apart wreath warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. Get ready to enjoy this gooey, cheesy, and garlicky treat with family and friends!
Can I Use Frozen Dough Instead?
Yes! If you have frozen dough, you can thaw it overnight in the fridge and then let it rise for about 30 minutes at room temperature before continuing with the recipe. Just make sure to shape it into balls after it’s risen.
How Can I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover pull-apart wreath in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melty again.
Can I Make This Recipe Vegan?
Absolutely! You can substitute the milk with a plant-based milk, use vegan butter instead of regular butter, and swap the cheese for plant-based cheese alternatives. Just make sure the yeast you’re using is vegan-friendly.
What Can I Serve with This Wreath?
This cheesy garlic pull-apart wreath pairs perfectly with marinara sauce for dipping. You could also serve it with a side salad or some roasted vegetables for a balanced meal!