Description
A delightful blend of homemade pesto and soft, fluffy bread that elevates any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Combine the warm water with the yeast and sugar in a large bowl. Let it rest for about 5 minutes until it’s frothy.
- Add in the flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 8-10 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl. Cover it and let it rise in a warm area for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare your pesto while the dough is rising by blending together the basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture is creamy.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle, approximately 12×16 inches.
- Spread the fresh pesto evenly over the dough, leaving a one-inch border around the edges. Starting from the long side, roll it tightly and pinch the seam closed.
- Place the shaped loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let it rise for another 45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F during the last 15 minutes of rising.
- Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F.
- Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
For added flavor, consider using walnuts or almonds instead of pine nuts in the pesto. Store leftovers in a paper bag or wrapped in plastic for freshness.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg