Cheese Bacon Cob Loaf (Print Version)

A warm loaf packed with oozy cheese, savory bacon, and onion, served with crusty bread for easy dipping.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 round cob loaf
02 - 250 g of cream cheese, softened
03 - 250 g of sour cream, chilled
04 - 200 g of chopped bacon pieces
05 - 1 1/2 cups of mixed shredded cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan), keep some aside for topping
06 - 1 diced onion
07 - 1 tablespoon of powdered French onion mix
08 - Optional: 100 g of brie, cubed

# Steps:

01 - Turn your oven to 110°C. Cut the top off the cob loaf (about 2 cm), pull out the soft inside, and tear it into bite-sized chunks. Lay the hollow loaf, its lid, and torn bread pieces on a tray lined with parchment and bake for 5-10 minutes until a bit crispy.
02 - Heat a medium-sized pan on medium-high heat. Toss in the bacon bits and chopped onion, and cook everything for 3-5 minutes until it’s golden and fragrant.
03 - Lower the heat to a gentle setting. Stir in the cream cheese and sour cream until they’re smooth and mixed. Add the French onion mix, optional brie, and the shredded cheese (don’t forget to save some for the top). Stir constantly for about 2 minutes, or until it’s all melted and creamy.
04 - Take the tray out of the oven and turn up the oven to 200°C. Put the smaller bread pieces and loaf lid in a bowl for later. Pour the cheese blend into the cob shell, sprinkle with the reserved cheese, and pop it back in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
05 - Serve warm with the toasted bread chunks on the side. Feel free to slice up the loaf’s lid for extra dipping options.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - Try mixing in rotisserie chicken, a hint of curry powder, or some corn for new flavors.
02 - Add a twist with crab meat or some finely chopped spinach for extra depth.
03 - Give it some heat with a dash of chili flakes, smoked paprika, or cayenne.
04 - No cob loaf? Serve it in a ramekin or similar oven-safe dish instead.
05 - Run out of bread? Pair with corn chips, extra veggies, or more bread slices to dip.
06 - Gently heat the cheese mix so it stays silky and doesn’t overcook.