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Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Bread

Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Bread
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Delight in this Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Bread, a soft, fluffy bread layered with vibrant basil pesto and gooey melted cheeses. Perfect as a shareable appetizer or snack, it combines fresh herb flavors, creamy mozzarella, and sharp parmesan in an easy-to-make, pull-apart style bread that’s ideal for parties or cozy treats.

Ingredients

Bread Dough

  • Store-bought or homemade bread dough (enough to roll out to a 12×15 inch rectangle)

Pesto Sauce

  • Fresh basil pesto (enough to generously spread over dough)

Cheese

  • Shredded mozzarella cheese (quantity to cover dough evenly)
  • Grated parmesan cheese (quantity to cover dough evenly)

Additional Ingredients

  • Olive oil (for brushing the stacked dough strips)
  • Garlic powder (for sprinkling on top before baking)
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Dough: Roll out your dough into a 12×15 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface to prepare a flat base suitable for layering.
  2. Spread the Pesto: Generously spread an even layer of fresh basil pesto across the entire surface of the rolled-out dough to ensure flavorful bites.
  3. Add the Cheese: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan over the pesto layer to create a gooey, cheesy texture.
  4. Slice the Dough: Cut the dough into approximately 2-inch wide strips across the width to prepare for the pull-apart stacking.
  5. Stack and Season: Neatly stack the strips on top of each other, brush the top with olive oil, and sprinkle garlic powder for added aroma and a golden crust.
  6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the stacked strips in a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden, bubbly, and cooked through.
  7. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the bread to cool slightly so the cheese sets but remains melty, then pull apart pieces and serve warm, optionally garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

  • Use fresh pesto—homemade or store-bought—for best flavor.
  • Balance the cheese amount to avoid overloading and keep the bread easy to pull apart.
  • Let the dough rest briefly before baking to help it rise and achieve a fluffier texture.
  • Brush the edges with olive oil to enhance crispiness and achieve a golden finish.
  • Rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure even browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy bread, pesto bread, pull apart bread, appetizer, snack, party food, basil pesto, mozzarella, parmesan

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/cheesy-pesto-pull-apart-bread/