Prepare the Bread

1. Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). You want the bread to bake evenly and become crispy on the edges while keeping the inside soft and delicious.
2. Slice the Bread: Slice your loaf of French or Italian bread into thick pieces—about 1-inch thick. If you prefer, you can slice it all the way through for individual pieces or leave it as one whole loaf, which you can cut into pieces after baking.
3. Toast the Bread (Optional): If you like extra crispy bread, you can toast it in the oven for 5 minutes before adding the garlic butter. This step is optional but adds an extra level of crunch.

Prepare the Garlic Butter

1. Mix the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, garlic powder, and salt. Stir everything together until the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the butter mixture.
2. Spread on the Bread: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture on each slice of bread. Be sure to cover every inch of the surface, ensuring a rich, flavorful bite with every mouthful.

Add the Cheese

1. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the garlic buttered bread. For an extra cheesy touch, feel free to add the optional cheddar cheese as well. The more cheese, the better, right?
2. Even Distribution: Make sure the cheese is spread evenly across each slice so that every piece gets its fair share of melty goodness.

Bake the Garlic Bread

1. Bake in the Oven: Place the prepared bread on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the bread are golden brown.
2. Broil for Extra Crispiness: For a final touch, broil the bread for an additional 1-2 minutes to get the top golden and crispy. Keep a close eye on it during this step to prevent burning.

Serve and Enjoy

1. Slice and Serve: Once the cheese has melted and the bread is beautifully toasted, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice the bread into individual pieces, and serve while it’s still warm and gooey.
2. Optional Garnish: If desired, sprinkle with additional fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.