Garlic Toast Hearts

Ingredients

• 1 package (454 g / 16 oz)cocktail bread
• 71 g (5 tablespoons)Land O Lakes® butter, melted
• 5 ml (1 teaspoon)fresh garlic, finely chopped
• 25 g (¼ cup)freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the oven

   Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. 2

   Cut bread hearts

   Use a 5 cm (2-inch) heart-shaped cutter to cut shapes from the cocktail bread, then set them aside.

3. 3

   Butter the pan

   Spread 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over a 38 × 25 × 2.5 cm (15 × 10 × 1-inch) baking pan and set it aside.

4. 4

   Brush with garlic

   Mix the remaining melted butter with the garlic in a bowl. Brush the mixture over the tops of the bread hearts, then arrange them in the prepared pan.

5. 5

   Add cheese and bake

   Sprinkle the hearts with Parmesan. Bake for 4–7 minutes, or until toasted.

What are garlic toast hearts?

They are small pieces of cocktail bread cut into heart shapes, brushed with garlic butter and finished with Parmesan. This is a playful take on garlic toast, suited to serving alongside soup or salad.

The heart shape is a simple presentation choice rather than a change to the basic method: butter helps the bread toast, while garlic and cheese add savoury flavour.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 100 calories, 2g protein, 9g carbs, 6g fat.

The bread supplies most of the carbohydrates, while butter contributes most of the fat; the Parmesan adds a little protein as well as fat. The supplied serving figures are 100 kcal, 2 g protein, 9 g carbohydrates and 6 g fat. Serve the hearts with a generous portion of salad or vegetables to round out the plate.

The bread and cutter

Cocktail bread: its compact slices make small toasts that are easy to serve as a side. Press the cutter through each slice firmly to make neat shapes.

Bread scraps: set aside the offcuts rather than trying to fit them into the pan; they can be used separately for crumbs or another dish.

Making the garlic butter

Butter: reserve 1 tablespoon to coat the baking pan, then mix the rest with the chopped garlic. This keeps the pan preparation separate from the brushing mixture.

Garlic: finely chopped pieces spread more evenly than large chunks. Brush the mixture across the top of each heart for a more consistent flavour.

Toasting without overdoing it

Spacing: arrange the hearts in the prepared pan so they lie flat. Avoid stacking them, which can prevent even toasting.

Doneness: begin checking at 4 minutes and continue up to 7 minutes as needed. Take them out once toasted, as the small pieces can brown quickly.

Serving ideas

With soup: serve the hearts alongside a bowl of tomato, vegetable or other favourite soup for a crisp, buttery contrast.

With salad: use them as a side for leafy salads, or arrange a few on the plate just before serving so they stay crisp.

Recipe notes & tips

• Melt the butter before measuring the portion for the pan.
• Chop the garlic finely so it brushes onto the bread evenly.
• Brush the tops lightly and evenly rather than leaving pools of butter.
• Check the toasts from the 4-minute mark because small pieces brown quickly.
• Serve soon after baking for the best crisp texture.

Variations

• Add herbs: mix a little finely chopped parsley into the garlic butter.
• Change the cheese: use another finely grated hard cheese in place of Parmesan.
• Add black pepper: season the butter mixture with a small pinch before brushing.
• Try a milder garlic flavour: use less chopped garlic in the butter.
• Use other shapes: cut the bread with a different small cookie cutter.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a blunt cutter: press a sharp-edged cutter firmly through the bread for cleaner shapes.
• Uneven garlic pieces: chop the garlic finely so larger chunks do not collect on a few toasts.
• Skipping the pan butter: coat the baking pan with the reserved tablespoon before adding the hearts.
• Crowding the pan: leave the pieces lying flat in a single layer so they toast evenly.
• Baking too long: check from 4 minutes and remove the hearts once toasted.

How to store

Keep cooled leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat briefly in a 180°C oven until warm and crisp; they may soften during storage.

Frequently asked questions