Make-Ahead Crispy, Buttery Garlic Bread‏

12 Tablespoons butter, softened
4 garlic cloves, very finely minced
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 (1-inch) slices Italian or French bread

Using a fork, beat butter, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper in small bowl until combined. Spread butter mixture evenly over both sides of bread.

Freeze the slices on a large baking sheet or plate until firm, about 15 minutes. Transfer the slices to a Ziploc bag and freeze for up to one month.

To serve, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange bread on baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes until golden brown. Flip and bake until golden brown on the second side, 6-7 minutes more.

To serve the bread immediately instead of freezing, bake buttered bread on baking sheet at 425 degrees for 8 minutes then flip and bake 5 more minutes.