This cheese and bacon cob loaf recipe will be your Achilles' heel if you're looking for an impressive dinner that will impress your visitors and disappear in an instant. Picture this: a crusty cob bread encasing a warm, gooey, delicious dip; it would be the centerpiece of any gathering, game night, or even a quiet night in. Bacon, melted cheese, and crunchy bread make for an absolutely delectable combination.

"Every time I make this cob loaf dip, it's like magic—it disappears before my eyes!"

Let's jump right into how to whip up this delectable cob loaf dip that's bound to become a staple in your recipe arsenal.

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

For this mouthwatering cheese and bacon cob loaf, gather up:

  • 1 large cob loaf (a round crusty bread)
  • 200g bacon, diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 250g cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1½ cups grated cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Extra bread pieces or veggie sticks for dipping (think carrots, celery, etc.)

Method

Preparation

First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). While it’s heating up, prep your cob loaf:

  1. Grab a sharp serrated knife and carefully slice off the top of the cob loaf to make a lid. Set that aside for later.
  2. Gently hollow out the loaf by removing the soft bread inside, but be careful not to tear the crust—you want a nice bread bowl.
  3. Tear the removed bread into bite-sized pieces. We'll toast these for dipping.
  4. Line a big baking tray with baking paper. Place the hollowed-out loaf and the bread pieces on the tray.

Cooking

Making the Filling:

  1. Heat up a frying pan over medium heat. Toss in the diced bacon and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring now and then until it's crispy and golden.
  2. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up extra grease.
  3. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it's soft and smells amazing.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Use a spatula or hand mixer to blend until smooth and creamy.
  5. Stir in the crispy bacon, sautéed onion, grated cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and chopped chives. Mix it all up until everything's well combined.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, the bacon and cheese are already salty, so go easy.

Assembling the Cob Loaf:

  1. Spoon the cheesy bacon mixture into the hollowed-out cob loaf. Pack it in tightly so it's fully loaded.
  2. Place the filled cob loaf back on the baking tray with the bread pieces. If you're feeling extra, brush the bread pieces and lid with a bit of olive oil or melted butter for extra crunch.

Baking:

  1. Pop it all into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly and the bread pieces are golden brown.
  2. Keep an eye on it—if the top starts browning too fast, loosely cover it with foil.

Serving

When your cheese and bacon cob loaf is baked to perfection, take it out of the oven.

  • Place it on a serving platter and arrange the toasted bread pieces and lid around it.
  • Serve it up hot while the cheese is still gooey and irresistible.
  • Consider adding extra dipping options like veggie sticks (carrots, celery, cucumber) or crackers.

"Trust me, this dip won't last long—it's that good!"

Encourage everyone to tear off pieces of the cob loaf or use the toasted bread to scoop up that delicious filling.

Nutrition Facts

Here's a rough idea of what you're looking at per serving:

  • Calories: 380
  • Protein: 14g
  • Fat: 24g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 650mg

Tips and Variations

  • Veggie Boost: Throw in some chopped spinach, sautéed mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
  • Herb Swap: No chives? Fresh parsley, dill, or thyme work great too.
  • Kick It Up a Notch: If you like spice, add chili flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce.
  • Cheesy Changes: Experiment with different cheeses like Swiss, gruyère, or sharp provolone.
  • Bread Options: Can't find a cob loaf? A sourdough boule or any round crusty bread will do the trick.

Conclusion

This cob loaf recipe calls for cheese and bacon, a crowd-pleaser and a true comfort food. At any party, it will be the talk of the town, and I promise you, guests will be begging you for the recipe. There is no better combination than crackling bacon, creamy cheeses, and crusty bread. And you can adjust the seasonings and other ingredients to make it taste exactly as you want it. Whether you're planning a party or simply need something warm and comforting, try making this baked cob loaf dip. Put this ultimate crowd-pleaser to a whole new level!