Basil Cheese Pull Apart Bread Sticks Recipe

Slice bread into 1 1/2 inch slices, cutting to, but not through to the bottom of the loaf.

Slice bread again into 1 1/2 inch slices in opposite direction in the same manner, forming bread-sticks. Place loaf on prepared foil.

In small saucepan, melt butter over low heat, stir in basil and garlic.

Gently separate the bread with your fingers, then spoon the butter mixture in all of the seams, making sure it is evenly distributed among the whole loaf. Wrap the loaf up in the foil and place on a baking stone or directly on the oven rack and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.

Open the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the bread. There will be a lot of cheese, so try to push down as much as you can in between all of the crevices in the bread. Leave the foil open and return it to the oven. Bake until the cheese is completely melted, bubbling and starting to brown on top, about 15 minutes.

Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Dig in!