Blooming Pizza Bread

Remember the Blooming Bacon Cheddar Ranch Bread that hit the front page of AOL.com back in February?  Well, I decided to go along with a pizza theme this time.  The results?  Amazing!  I really need to reserve making these for when I have company -- when left to our own devices, my husband and I embarrassingly polish off an entire loaf in one day!

Ingredients:

• 1 firm round loaf of bread, such as sourdough
• 1/4 c butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion salt
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Pinch black pepper 
• 1/3 c pizza sauce, or tomato sauce 
• 1/3 c shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 
• Additional pizza (or tomato) sauce, for dipping

Directions:


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Using a sharp, serrated knife, cut the bread lengthwise in rows about 1 inch apart. Turn the bread 90 degrees and repeat to create cubes, holding the bread down with your other hand as you cut.  Make the cuts as deep as you can but don't cut all the way through the bottom.  

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, onion salt, oregano and pepper.  

Carefully spoon in a total of 1/3 c pizza sauce evenly between each bread cube and stuff with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.  Drizzle the seasoned butter between the crevices and all over the loaf.  

Wrap the loaf with tin foil and bake on a baking sheet for 10 minutes.  Carefully unwrap the foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes.  

Allow to cool slightly before serving. 

Serve with pizza sauce, for dipping.

Enjoy!