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If you are craving a warm, savory treat that is as irresistible as it is easy to prepare, the Olive Cheese Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. This cheesy, flavorful loaf combines the rich creaminess of Monterey Jack cheese with the briny pop of black and green olives, all nestled on a crusty French bread base. It’s perfect for a cozy snack, an impressive appetizer, or a delightful side to your favorite meal. Every bite offers a melty, salty sensation that feels like a comforting hug from the inside out.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is the secret to making this Olive Cheese Bread Recipe truly shine. Each component contributes distinct notes—fresh butter brings richness, mayonnaise adds creamy moisture, olives introduce savory tang, and the cheese melts to golden perfection, creating a beautiful balance of flavors and textures.
- French bread: The sturdy, crusty base holds all the delicious toppings and provides a satisfying chew.
- Salted butter: Softened for easy mixing, it adds richness and helps meld the flavors.
- Mayonnaise: Offers creamy moisture so the bread doesn’t dry out during baking.
- Black olives: Chopped finely for bursts of earthy, briny flavor.
- Green olives with pimentos: Add a slightly tangy sweetness and vibrant color contrast.
- Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully and has a mild, buttery taste that complements the olives.
- Garlic powder: Optional, but it gives a subtle aromatic kick that elevates the whole dish.
- Parsley or chives: Fresh herbs for garnish, adding a pop of green and freshness at the end.
How to Make Olive Cheese Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly preheated for baking. Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and prevent sticking. This step ensures everything cooks evenly and the bread base doesn’t burn.
Step 2: Slice the French Bread
Slice the loaf lengthwise to create two sturdy halves. Placing the bread cut side up on the baking sheet creates an inviting canvas ready to be generously topped.
Step 3: Make the Olive-Cheese Spread
In a bowl, combine the softened butter, mayonnaise, chopped black and green olives, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and garlic powder if you’re using it. Mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a creamy, flavorful spread that will melt beautifully on the bread.
Step 4: Spread Toppings Over Bread
Evenly distribute the olive-cheese mixture over the cut sides of your bread halves, spreading all the way to the edges. This helps ensure every bite delivers that satisfying blend of cheesy, olive-studded goodness.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place the assembled bread in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to melt thoroughly, bubble enticingly, and take on a light golden hue—signaling it’s ready to come out and be enjoyed.
Step 6: Cool and Garnish
Once baked, let the bread cool for about 5 minutes so the cheese sets slightly and isn’t too hot to handle. Slice into serving pieces and sprinkle generously with fresh parsley or chives for that extra dash of color and flavor.
How to Serve Olive Cheese Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley and chives not only add a lovely green color, but they also introduce a fresh, bright contrast to the rich and savory olive cheese topping. Sprinkle liberally right before serving to keep that fresh flavor vibrant.
Side Dishes
This Olive Cheese Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with light, crisp salads or hearty soups. Try it alongside a classic Caesar salad, tomato bisque, or a bowl of chilled gazpacho—the bread’s creamy, salty character complements so many flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this bread as a centerpiece on a rustic wooden board surrounded by small dishes of olives, sliced meats, and fresh veggies for a Mediterranean-inspired spread. You can also cut it into bite-sized squares for easy party finger food or create sliders with some thinly sliced deli meats and roasted peppers for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Olive Cheese Bread Recipe, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Keep it fresh for up to 3 days, perfect for enjoying the next day as a quick snack or accompaniment to a meal.
Freezing
This bread freezes well if wrapped properly. To freeze, wrap tightly in foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. When you’re ready, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat to enjoy as if freshly made.
Reheating
To bring left-over or thawed bread back to life, pop it into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until the cheese melts again and the bread is warmed through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread soggy instead of crisp and delightful.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! Monterey Jack melts beautifully and has a mild flavor, but mozzarella or a mild cheddar can also be delicious choices depending on your preference.
What kind of olives work best for this recipe?
A mix of black and green olives with pimentos adds great contrast in flavor and color. Feel free to experiment with kalamata or stuffed olives for a slightly different taste profile.
Is mayonnaise necessary in the recipe?
Mayonnaise adds creamy moisture that helps bind the topping and keeps the bread from drying out, but if you’re not a fan, you can substitute with sour cream or cream cheese for a similar effect.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
Yes! Use vegan butter and mayonnaise alternatives, and swap Monterey Jack for a plant-based cheese that melts well. The olives and bread are naturally vegan, so this recipe is adaptable to many diets.
How long will the Olive Cheese Bread stay fresh once baked?
It tastes best the same day but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat as needed to enjoy that melty, fresh-out-of-the-oven texture again.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about the Olive Cheese Bread Recipe that brings a smile to the table. It’s quick enough to whip up any day yet impressive enough to serve guests, offering a perfect meld of creamy cheese, salty olives, and crusty bread that’s simply addictive. Do yourself a favor and give this recipe a try—you may find it becoming a fast favorite in your home too!
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Olive Cheese Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Olive Cheese Bread is a delightful, savory treat perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-make recipe features a crispy French bread base generously topped with a creamy mixture of salted butter, mayonnaise, black and green olives, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Baked until golden and bubbly, it offers a flavorful combination of cheesy, tangy, and slightly salty notes, garnished with fresh parsley or chives for a touch of herbal brightness.
Ingredients
Bread Base
- 1 loaf of French bread (sliced in half lengthwise)
Olive Cheese Spread
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup chopped black olives
- 1 cup chopped green olives with pimentos
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or mozzarella)
- 1–2 teaspoons garlic powder (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley or chives (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise into two halves and arrange them cut side up on the prepared baking sheet.
- Make Olive Cheese Spread: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened salted butter, mayonnaise, chopped black and green olives, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and garlic powder if using. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients form a creamy, evenly combined spread.
- Apply Spread: Evenly distribute the olive-cheese spread across the cut sides of both bread halves, spreading it all the way to the edges for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese melts fully, becomes bubbly, and starts to turn a lovely golden color.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes. Then slice into servings and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives to add a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute Monterey Jack cheese with mozzarella or a blend of your favorite melting cheeses.
- Garlic powder adds a nice depth of flavor but can be omitted if you prefer a milder taste.
- This bread is best served warm to enjoy the gooey cheese and savory olives.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to restore crispness.
