Ingredients
Method
Hollow the Bread Bowl
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a serrated bread knife, slice off the top 1 1/2 inches of the sourdough boule like a lid. Cut around the interior perimeter, leaving a sturdy 3/4-inch bread wall and base.
- Use your hands to gently hollow out the soft interior bread into bite-sized 1-inch cubes. Place the hollowed bread bowl and the bread cubes onto the baking sheet. Brush the interior of the bowl and the bread cubes with melted butter and a dust of garlic powder.
Mix the Dip & Fill
- Critical moisture step: Wrap thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze aggressively over the sink until zero excess liquid drips out.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes with a spatula until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in the squeezed dry spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, 1 cup of mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese until evenly distributed.
- Spoon the luscious dip mixture into the hollowed sourdough bread bowl, mounding it gently toward the center. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
Bake to Molten Perfection
- Cover the filled bread bowl loosely with a tent of aluminum foil to keep the bread crust from getting overly dark. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil tent, arrange the reserved sourdough bread cubes around the bowl on the baking sheet, and bake uncovered for another 8 to 10 minutes until the top cheese is bubbling vigorously and toasted with golden brown spots, and the bread cubes are crunchy crostini.
- Optional broil: Broil on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes for extra caramelized cheese blisters. Keep a watchful eye!
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and freshly cracked black pepper. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with toasted bread cubes, crisp celery, and sweet baby carrots!