Pesto Bread

Elevate your bread-baking game with this stunning and flavorful Pesto Bread recipe! This homemade loaf combines the satisfying texture of freshly kneaded dough with the herby, garlicky punch of pesto sauce and a hint of savory Parmesan cheese. Twisted into a gorgeous braided loaf, this bread is as visually impressive as it is delicious. Perfect for serving alongside pasta, soups, or as a centerpiece for brunch, this recipe uses simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, olive oil, and active dry yeast to create a bakery-quality bread right in your kitchen. With its golden crust and soft, aromatic interior, this Pesto Bread is sure to become a family favorite for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.25 cups warm water
• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup pesto sauce
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2

Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture along with the salt and olive oil. Stir together with a wooden spoon until well combined.

Step 3

Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms that is slightly sticky but pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 4

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, adding a little flour as necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat the top. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Step 6

Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a rectangle about 10x16 inches on a floured surface.

Step 7

Spread the pesto sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the pesto.

Step 8

Starting from the longer edge, carefully roll the dough into a log, pinching the seams to seal.

Step 9

Cut the roll lengthwise into two pieces and twist them together, keeping the cut sides up.

Step 10

Place the twisted loaf in a lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cover with a towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 11

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 12

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 14

Slice and serve the pesto bread warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(921.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2675.0

Total Fat 114.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.6g
Cholesterol 40.5mg	0%
Sodium 3976.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 343.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.1g	0%
Total Sugars 14.4g
Protein 65.1g	0%

Vitamin D 5.1IU	0%
Calcium 544.5mg	0%
Iron 22.3mg	0%
Potassium 848.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.6%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 51.6%