Ingredients
Scale
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 slices thick-cut white bread, preferably 1 inch thick
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Italian seasoning, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven’s broiler. If your broiler has settings, choose the high setting. Let it preheat while you prepare the toast.
- Prepare the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and fully mixed. If using fresh garlic, mix it in now.
- Prepare the bread slices. Lay the slices of bread on a baking sheet. It’s best not to grease the sheet, as the bread is already buttered and won’t stick.
- Butter the bread. Using a brush or butter knife, generously spread the garlic butter on both sides of each slice. The double-sided buttering is key—it gives the toast a rich, golden crust on both sides.
- Broil the bread (first time). Place the baking sheet on the middle or upper rack (not too close to the broiler) and broil for about 1 minute per side. Watch very closely—broilers can go from golden brown to burnt in seconds. When the bread turns lightly golden and starts to crisp, flip and repeat.
- Add the cheese. Remove the tray from the oven and sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella over one side of each slice. Add a pinch of Italian seasoning over the cheese for flavor.
- Broil again to melt the cheese. Return the tray to the oven and broil for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the cheese is melted and starts to bubble. Don’t walk away—keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Serve immediately. The toast is best enjoyed hot and melty, straight from the oven.
Notes
- Watch the broiler. The broiler can be tricky, especially for beginners. It cooks with intense, direct heat from the top of the oven, and things can burn quickly. Never leave your toast unattended during broiling.
- Softening butter quickly: Forgot to take your butter out? Microwave it in 5-second intervals at a low power setting, checking frequently to prevent melting. Or grate cold butter using a box grater—it softens faster.
- Even spreading: Make sure the butter mixture is evenly spread across the bread. Uneven buttering can lead to burnt spots or soggy patches.
- Adding protein: Want to turn this into a more filling snack or meal? Add a layer of cooked, shredded chicken breast or thin slices of roast beef before topping with cheese. Make sure the meat is pre-cooked and warm to ensure everything is hot and safe to eat when served.
- Troubleshooting overcooked toast: If the bread gets too dark too fast, move the rack lower in the oven or switch to a regular baking setting at 400°F for a few minutes to finish melting the cheese without burning the toast.
- Storage tip: If you end up with leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven for best results—microwaving tends to make the bread rubbery.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes