• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
• In a heatproof bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and salt, then microwave until melted. Stir in the chopped parsley to finish the garlic butter mixture.
• Using a serrated knife, slice the bread diagonally into 2 cm (1 inch) diamonds, being careful not to cut all the way through the bottom of the loaf.
• Gently use your fingers or a small knife to open each cut and drizzle about a teaspoon of the garlic butter into the gaps, followed by a pinch of shredded cheese. While it may take a little time, this step ensures every bite is full of flavor and is absolutely worth the effort. Don’t worry about being too precise—letting some butter run over the crust adds even more flavor.
• Brush the top of the loaf with any remaining garlic butter.
• Wrap the entire loaf in foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has started to melt. Then unwrap and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the crust is crisp and golden.
• Serve hot and fresh from the oven. (See Note 1 below for make-ahead instructions.)

Recipe Notes:

• Make Ahead: The most effective way to prep ahead is to use softened (not melted) butter mixed with garlic, salt, and parsley. Smear the mixture into the bread’s crevices, stuff with cheese, wrap tightly, and either refrigerate or freeze. When ready to serve, thaw completely and follow the baking instructions above. To prepare in advance for a quick microwave reheat, use a crusty sourdough loaf. Bake as directed, including the unwrapped stage, then cool, wrap in foil, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To serve, microwave on high for 1½ to 2 minutes—just enough to remelt the cheese. The crust stays crisp due to the original bake, even after reheating.
• Bread Type: Dense breads work best because they hold together when pieces are pulled apart. Sourdough is ideal. Always use fully baked bread, not raw dough.
• Speedy Tip (Update): A reader, CJ, suggested a clever shortcut—rather than melting the butter, cream it with the garlic, salt, and parsley. First, slice the bread diagonally in just one direction. Generously spread the creamed butter mixture into each cut. Then, slice the bread in the opposite direction to form diamonds, allowing the butter to spread into the new cuts as you go. It may not provide perfectly even coverage, but it's a faster method that still delivers great flavor.
• Nutrition: Based on 10 servings, nutrition details are estimated per portion.