Last winter, the wind howled against the windows as my husband and I settled in for a quiet Friday night. I’d spent the afternoon baking bread—one of those crusty round loaves that fills the kitchen with warmth and the smell of comfort.
We’d both been craving something hearty, something we could share over a movie and a glass of red. That’s when I remembered the cob loaf dip my sister used to make for family get-togethers creamy, cheesy, smoky from the bacon, and always scraped clean by the end of the night.
I hollowed out the loaf, crisped it up in the oven, and filled it with a thick mixture of cream cheese, cheddar, sour cream, and bacon bits, seasoned just enough to wake up the taste buds. While it baked, I cut the inside bread into cubes and toasted them lightly.
The house smelled incredible, rich, savory, a little indulgent. We dipped warm, golden bread pieces into the bubbling cheese center, sharing smiles and a few quiet moments while the fireplace crackled in the background. Simple things, really, but those nights feel special in their own way.
Short Description
A warm, creamy bacon and cheese dip served in a toasted cob loaf—perfect for sharing at family gatherings, game nights, or cozy winter nights.
Key Ingredients
- 1 cob loaf
- 250 g cream cheese
- 250 g sour cream
- 200 g bacon, chopped
- 1½ cups grated pizza cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan), reserve 1 handful
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp French onion soup mix
- Optional: 100 g Brie cheese
Tools Needed
- Baking tray with parchment
- Saucepan
- Mixing spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Oven-safe bowl
- Grater
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Toast the Loaf & Bread Pieces
Preheat oven to 110 °C. Slice ~2 cm off the loaf’s top and hollow it out, breaking the interior into bite-size chunks. Place loaf shell, lid, and bread pieces on a lined tray. Toast for 5–10 minutes, until lightly golden and warmed through.
Step 2: Cook Bacon & Onion
Heat a saucepan over medium–high. Add bacon and chopped onion; cook for 3–5 minutes until onion softens and bacon is lightly crisped.
Step 3: Make the Cheese Dip
Lower heat. Stir in cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add French onion soup mix, optional brie, and reserved pizza cheese, stirring until melted and fully combined (about 2 minutes).
Step 4: Bake the Dip in the Loaf
Raise oven to 200 °C. Transfer toasted bread pieces and lid to a bowl. Pour the cheese mixture into the hollowed cob shell. Sprinkle the reserved cheese on top. Bake for 10 minutes, until cheese bubbles and melts.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
Serve hot. Arrange toasted bread pieces and the cob lid on a board for dunking right into the gooey, cheesy center.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cheesy Comfort: Creamy, melty goodness with bacon’s savory crunch.
Shareable & Fun: A loaf baked to serve family-style or at parties.
Simple Prep: Uses pantry items and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by kids and adults at game nights, celebrations, and casual gatherings.
Customizable: Add brie or switch cheeses to suit preferences.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Bleak Toasted Bread: Under-toasting can result in soggy dippers. Make sure bread pieces are golden and sturdy before serving.
Curdled Dip: If sauce separates, cook on low heat and stir slowly to combine cheeses.
Overfilled Loaf: The dip may spill if too much is added. Leave 1 cm of space at the top.
Bland Flavor: French onion soup mix is key for depth. Taste before baking and adjust salt or seasoning if needed.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve With: Toasted bread, veggie sticks (carrots, celery), or apple slices for freshness.
Pair With: Crisp white wine, light beer, or sparkling water with lemon.
Occasions: Ideal for potlucks, family game nights, or Friday movie treats.
Presentation: Set on a wooden board buffet-style for casual dipping fun.
Storage and Reheating Tips
To Store: Cool completely, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Bake at 180 °C for 10 minutes until warmed through and bubbly.
To Re-toast Bread: Place bread pieces back in the oven at 180 °C for 5 minutes to freshen the crunch.
FAQs
1. Can I prep the dip ahead?
Yes. Cook bacon-onion mix and dip base. Refrigerate and fill loaf later — bake when ready.
2. Can I make it vegetarian?
Skip bacon, and add extra onion or sautéed mushrooms instead.
3. Can I use another loaf?
Yes, use sourdough or French bread hollowed and toasted similarly.
4. Is it possible to reduce calories?
Use low-fat cream cheese and reduce bacon to keep flavor but lighten it up.
5. Can I freeze leftovers?
Dip alone freezes well. Reheat in the oven from frozen, then toast bread fresh.
Tips & Tricks
Use a mix of cheeses for flavor depth—cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan.
Toast bread as you bake the dip so everything’s warm together.
Add chopped chives or parsley on top before serving for color.
Serve the cob lid alongside, it’s edible and adds a fun touch.
Recipe Variations
1. Spicy Jalapeño Version
Add 1–2 diced jalapeños to the bacon-onion mix.
Stir in ½ cup pepper jack cheese.
Proceed as above, topping with extra pepper jack before baking.
2. Brie & Cranberry Twist
Include 100 g Brie in the dip.
Mix in ¼ cup cranberry chutney or fresh cranberries.
Bake and serve with sweet-and-savory flair.
3. Mediterranean Take
Skip bacon. Add roasted red peppers, olives, and feta with cream base.
Use Italian seasoning instead of soup mix.
Bake and serve with pita or ciabatta pieces.
4. Keto-Friendly Option
Use almond flour or cheese crisps in place of bread pieces.
Serve the dip with low-carb vegetable dippers like cucumber slices or celery sticks.
Final Thoughts
We didn’t end up watching much of the movie that night. Instead, we talked, laughed, and polished off the last of the dip without realizing it. It’s funny how food can slow down time a little, bring people closer. I tucked the leftover cob crust into a container for the next day, though between us, it didn’t last past breakfast.
Cheese And Bacon Cob Loaf Dip
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 cob loaf
- 250 g cream cheese
- 250 g sour cream
- 200 g bacon, chopped
- 1½ cups grated pizza cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan), reserve 1 handful
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp French onion soup mix
- Optional: 100 g Brie cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Toast the Bread
Preheat oven to 110 °C. Cut ~2 cm off the loaf top and hollow it out. Tear the inside into chunks. Place shell, lid, and chunks on a tray. Toast 5–10 minutes until golden.
Step 2: Cook Bacon & Onion
In a saucepan over medium-high, cook chopped bacon and onion for 3–5 minutes until soft and lightly crisped.
Step 3: Make the Dip
Reduce heat. Stir in cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add soup mix, brie (if using), and half the cheese. Stir until melted.
Step 4: Bake the Dip
Raise oven to 200 °C. Pour dip into loaf shell, top with remaining cheese, and bake for 10 minutes until bubbling.
Step 5: Serve
Serve hot with toasted bread chunks and cob lid for dipping.
