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Cranberry Pecan Caramelized Onion Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 149 reviews
  • Author: Isabella
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6-8 as appetizer or snack 1x

Description

This Cranberry Pecan Caramelized Onion Cheesy Pull Apart Bread is a delightful savory and sweet appetizer that combines the rich flavors of caramelized onions, melted white cheddar and fontina cheeses, tart dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans all baked inside a crusty Italian loaf. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any cozy occasion, this pull-apart bread is easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Caramelized Onions

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

Bread and Filling

  • 1 circular loaf crusty Italian bread
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 ounces white cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 4 ounces fontina cheese, freshly grated
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • The caramelized onions (from above)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Heat a medium skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the butter and olive oil, allowing them to melt and combine. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions turn golden brown and achieve a jam-like consistency. During the last minute or two, sprinkle in the light brown sugar and stir continuously until it fully dissolves and integrates with the onions, enhancing their sweetness.
  2. Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Take the circular Italian loaf and, using a serrated bread knife, make 1-inch deep diagonal cuts through the bread, being careful not to cut all the way through the bottom crust. Then, make diagonal cuts in the opposite direction, creating a criss-cross or diamond pattern of cuts that will allow the fillings to penetrate throughout the bread.
  3. Stuff the Bread: Drizzle the melted butter evenly into all the crevices you’ve made in the bread. Begin stuffing the grated white cheddar, fontina cheeses, caramelized onions, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans into each of the cuts, alternating as you go. If you run out of space inside the slits, simply spread some of the remaining ingredients on top of the loaf—it will all melt together beautifully when baked.
  4. Bake the Bread: Place the stuffed bread on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Bake until the bread is heated all the way through, the cheeses have melted into a gooey mixture, and the top achieves a golden, slightly crispy appearance.
  5. Serve Hot: Remove the bread from the oven and serve immediately, enjoying the gooey, sweet, and savory pull-apart bread while it’s warm and fresh.

Notes

  • You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
  • If you want a stronger cheese flavor, you can increase the amount of white cheddar or fontina slightly.
  • Make sure not to cut all the way through the bread to keep it intact for pulling apart.
  • Leftover bread can be reheated but is best enjoyed fresh.
  • Use a serrated knife for cleaner cuts through the crusty bread.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: pull apart bread, caramelized onion bread, cheesy bread, appetizer, cranberry pecan bread, holiday bread, easy appetizer

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Find it online: https://isabellavance.com/cranberry-pecan-caramelized-onion-cheesy-pull-apart-bread-recipe/