Cheesy Bacon and Ranch Pull Apart Bread

This is great as an appetizer or side dish, and looks lovely as well. 

Yield:  10-15 appetizer servings

Ingredients:
1 loaf sourdough bread (or other round loaf)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup chopped cooked bacon
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp ranch seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste 

Directions:
Cook bacon in advance, drain on paper towels, then slice or crumble into small pieces.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Slice the bread lengthwise and then in the opposite direction, creating 1/2 - 3/4 inch squares, being careful not to pierce the bottom of the bread.

Place bread on a baking sheet and disperse cheese between the cuts, pushing down to fill the bread with cheese.  Add bacon evenly across the top.

Melt the butter and stir in the ranch seasoning.  Pour evenly over the top of the bread. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the top of the bread is nice and brown. 

Tips:  This is kind of a road map for an easy recipe; it can be customized to personal tastes.  Use a different type of cheese, veggies, or meat.  Make it sweet, savory, spicy... or make the bread from scratch!  I'm planning to make a pizza version, and maybe a cinnamon & sugar version.  Enjoy!