Introduction

This Camembert Cob Loaf is a warm, creamy cheese dip baked inside a crusty bread bowl. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or as a cozy snack, it combines multiple cheeses with a hint of cranberry and thyme for a deliciously rich flavor experience.

A round hollow loaf of bread with a golden-brown crust serves as a bowl filled with a creamy, melted cheese dip with a lightly browned surface. Small green fresh herbs are sprinkled on top, adding texture and color contrast. Around the bread bowl on a white plate, pieces of torn and sliced bread in varying sizes create a rough, uneven border. The plate rests on a soft gray cloth against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cob loaf (see Note 1)
250 grams / 8 oz cream cheese (see Note 2)
300 grams / 10.5 oz sour cream or Greek yogurt (see Note 3)
2 cups Colby cheese
1 cup parmesan cheese or cheese blend with parmesan, pecorino romano, and mozzarella (see Note 5)
½ cup cranberry sauce (store-bought) (see Note 4)
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, stems removed
Fresh thyme leaves, to serve
Cooking oil spray

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350-375°F / Gas Mark 4-5).
Step 2: Place the cob loaf on a chopping board and slice the top off. Set the top aside. Cut a circle in the middle of the bread, leaving a 2-3 cm (1 inch) border around the edges. Hollow out the center and set the fluffy bread aside.
Step 3: Slice the removed bread bits, including the top, into small pieces to toast alongside the dip later.
Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, Colby cheese, and parmesan cheese blend. Add the chopped camembert cheese and fresh thyme leaves. Stir with a spatula until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
Step 5: Spoon the cranberry sauce into the hollowed cob loaf, spreading it over the base and up the sides for maximum flavor.
Step 6: Transfer the cheese mixture into the prepared bread bowl, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Step 7: Place the camembert cob loaf on a baking tray lined with a silicone mat. Arrange the bread bits around the loaf and lightly spray them with cooking oil.
Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven on the middle shelf for 10 minutes. Remove the tray, transfer toasted bread bits to a heatproof surface using tongs, then return the tray to the oven and bake for another 30 minutes.
Step 9: Remove the baked cob loaf from the oven and place it on a large serving plate. Arrange the toasted bread pieces around the base and sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use high-quality bakery cob loaves if possible for better freshness and texture.
Let the cream cheese come to room temperature and cut into smaller pieces for easier mixing.
You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier flavor.
Add your favorite cheese blend to create complex flavor layers in the dip.
Serve with fresh crisp vegetables or crackers for an alternative to bread pieces.

Storage

Store any leftover camembert cob loaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals to avoid overheating and breaking the cheese.

How to Serve

A round golden-brown bread bowl with a thick crust filled with a creamy, melted white cheese dip, topped with small green herb leaves. A woman's hand is lifting a toasted bread slice from the bowl, pulling up gooey, stretchy melted cheese that drips down. Around the bread bowl are torn pieces of toasted bread with some green herbs scattered on a white marbled surface. The textures include the crusty bread exterior, smooth and creamy cheese, and rough toasted bread pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cheese mixture and hollow out the cob loaf a few hours in advance. Keep them refrigerated separately and assemble just before baking for best results.

What can I substitute for cranberry sauce?

If you prefer, you can swap cranberry sauce for a savory chutney or a sweet fruit jam like apricot for a different flavor twist. Just spread it similarly inside the cob loaf.