Effortlessly Impressive: The Ultimate Cheesy Pesto Bread Recipe (Using Frozen Dough!)
Prepare to wow your family and friends with an appetizer that looks incredibly gourmet but is surprisingly simple to make! This Pesto Cheese Bread is your secret weapon for any gathering, boasting a golden, cheesy crust, an explosion of rich pesto flavor, and a satisfying pull-apart texture. The best part? You won’t believe how easy it is to achieve this stunning bread wreath using convenient frozen dough, completely eliminating the need for complicated kneading or proofing from scratch.
The magic of this recipe lies in the irresistible combination of flavors and textures. Imagine warm, buttery, and slightly garlicky bread infused with the vibrant, herbaceous notes of fresh basil pesto. As it bakes, the creamy cheese melts perfectly into every crevice, creating pockets of gooey delight. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of fragrant basil, pungent garlic, and a hint of olive oil, all nestled within soft, golden bread. This dish isn’t just a snack; it’s a sensory experience that promises to be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Whether you opt for the convenience of store-bought basil pesto or prefer to craft your own homemade pesto with the freshest ingredients, this recipe adapts effortlessly to your preferences. The real game-changer is the use of frozen bread dough. This simple hack means you skip the time-consuming steps of measuring flour, mixing, kneading, and waiting for the dough to rise multiple times. Instead, you get to focus on the fun part: assembling and baking this impressive appetizer that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery.
Table of Contents
Why This Pesto Bread is a Must-Try
This Pesto Cheese Bread isn’t just an appetizer; it’s a statement. Here’s why it quickly becomes a favorite in any recipe collection:
- Seasonal Versatility for Any Occasion: Whether you’re celebrating with a seasonal appetizer or simply looking for an elevated snack, this cheesy and savory bread wreath fits perfectly. Its impressive twisted design makes it a fantastic centerpiece for brunch, a festive addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas party spread, or an exciting game day snack. It’s truly suitable for any occasion where delicious, shareable food is desired.
- A Feast for the Eyes and Palate: This bread effortlessly doubles as both a stunning table centerpiece and a delightful, shareable treat for your guests. The golden-brown crust, the vibrant green pesto peeking through, and the artful twist make it visually appealing. Guests will be eager to pull off a warm piece, enjoying the explosion of flavors with every bite.
- Effortless Elegance with Frozen Dough: The secret to its simplicity lies in using frozen dough. Frozen dough recipes are a blessing for busy cooks, allowing you to create top-notch, yummy appetizers without the extensive time commitment of traditional bread making. This twist bread looks incredibly sophisticated, yet it’s incredibly easy to assemble, saving you precious time and effort. It allows anyone, regardless of baking experience, to create something truly impressive.
- Irresistible Flavor Profile: The combination of rich basil pesto, savory cheese, and soft, warm bread is simply divine. It’s a harmonious blend that appeals to almost everyone, making it a guaranteed hit at any gathering.
Essential Ingredients and Clever Substitutions
Crafting the perfect pesto cheese bread starts with high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and how you can adapt the recipe to your pantry or palate:
- Ready Dough: We highly recommend using Bridgford Ready Dough for its consistent quality, convenience, and perfect texture. You’ll typically find two loaves per package, but this recipe only requires one. If Bridgford isn’t available, any good quality frozen bread dough will work beautifully. Just be sure to follow its specific thawing instructions.
- Pesto Sauce: For ultimate convenience, jarred pesto works wonderfully and is readily available in most grocery stores. Look for a brand with good quality ingredients for the best flavor. However, if you have fresh basil on hand and extra time, making your own homemade pesto elevates the flavor even further. A classic basil pesto offers that authentic taste, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other varieties for a unique twist.
- Parmesan or Asiago Cheese: These hard, Italian cheeses are essential for adding a sharp, salty depth and richness to the bread. Grated Parmesan cheese melts beautifully and forms a delightful crust. Asiago cheese offers a slightly nuttier, tangier flavor. Feel free to use a blend of both or even substitute with other hard grating cheeses like Pecorino Romano for a similar effect. Freshly grated cheese will always provide superior flavor and melting quality compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Egg: A single large egg, beaten, is used to create an egg wash. This is crucial for achieving that gorgeous, golden-brown, shiny crust that makes the bread look so professional and appealing. Ensure your egg is at room temperature for the best consistency when whisking.
- Butter: Melted unsalted butter brushed on after baking adds an extra layer of richness and a beautiful sheen. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish, especially when combined with savory pesto and cheese.
Pesto Bread Recipe Variations to Explore
While the classic pesto cheese bread is spectacular, these variations allow you to customize it to your taste or what you have on hand:
- Switch Up the Herbs: Beyond traditional basil, consider using a vibrant sun-dried tomato pesto for a sweeter, tangier profile, or even a zesty kale pesto for an earthy twist. For something different, try another flavorful spread like a savory olive tapenade.
- Garlic Butter Finish: For an intensely garlicky flavor, skip the egg wash and brush the bread with a rich garlic butter mixture before baking. Simply melt butter with minced garlic and a pinch of dried parsley.
- Tex-Mex Twist: Give your pesto bread a spicy kick by sprinkling it with chicken taco seasoning, a dash of chili powder, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes along with the cheese.
- Infuse More Fresh Flavor: Finely chop extra fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary and mix them directly into the basil pesto before spreading. Alternatively, sprinkle them on top just before serving for an aromatic garnish.
- Extra Cheese Factor: For an even gooier, stretchy bite of cheesy pesto garlic bread, incorporate some shredded mozzarella cheese along with the Parmesan or Asiago. Provolone or a Mexican cheese blend would also be delicious.
- Authentic Homemade Touch: If you’re going the homemade pesto route, ensure you use high-quality ingredients like fresh pine nuts (or walnuts for a budget-friendly option), vibrant fresh basil leaves, robust garlic, and a good extra virgin olive oil for an authentic, unparalleled taste.
Tools for Crafting Your Pesto Bread
You don’t need a lot of specialized equipment to make this impressive pesto cheese bread. A few basic kitchen tools will suffice:
- Baking Sheet: A sturdy baking sheet is essential for baking your bread wreath evenly.
- Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper: These non-stick surfaces prevent the dough from sticking to the baking sheet and make cleanup a breeze.
- Pastry Brush: Ideal for evenly spreading the pesto sauce and applying the egg wash for that beautiful golden finish.
- Prep Bowls: Handy for holding your pesto, cheese, and egg wash, keeping your workspace organized.
- Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough into a perfect rectangle.
- Sharp Knife or Kitchen Shears: For cleanly slicing the dough log.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread
Follow these simple instructions to create your show-stopping pesto cheese bread. Remember, the key is proper thawing and gentle handling!
How to Properly Thaw Frozen Bread Dough
Before you begin the exciting part of assembling your pesto bread, it’s crucial to properly defrost the frozen dough. There are two convenient options for this:
- In the Refrigerator Overnight: This method requires minimal effort and is perfect for planning ahead.
- Simply place the frozen loaf onto a lightly greased baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Cover the dough loosely with a large sheet of plastic wrap. To prevent sticking, lightly spray the side of the plastic wrap that will touch the dough with non-stick cooking spray, or lightly coat it with a neutral oil using a pastry brush. If you skip this step, you’ll end up with a sticky mess when you try to remove the plastic wrap.
- Thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight, or for approximately 8 to 10 hours.
- At Room Temperature: This method is a bit quicker if you’re short on time.
- Just like the first option, place the frozen dough on a greased sheet pan or parchment paper.
- Cover the loaf with plastic wrap, ensuring the greased side (sprayed with non-stick cooking spray) touches the dough.
- Allow it to sit on your kitchen counter for 2-3 hours to fully defrost. The exact time may vary depending on your room’s temperature.
While defrosting takes the longest, it’s a passive step. Once thawed, the actual assembly and baking of your appetizer (including its final rise time) will take about 90 minutes.
🎯 Pro Tip for Thawing Dough
Whichever thawing method you choose, it’s essential that the dough is still nice and cold before you begin the assembly process. Cold dough is much easier to handle, roll, and slice cleanly.
If the dough feels warm to the touch, gently place it back into the freezer for 5-10 minutes. This will firm it up enough to work with without making it difficult to roll.
Once your dough is properly thawed and chilled, let’s get baking!
- Prepare the Dough: On a silicone baking mat, a sheet of parchment paper, or a lightly floured surface, roll out your thawed dough into a large rectangle. Aim for dimensions of approximately 18 inches by 12 inches, with a thickness of about ½ inch. The key is to have an even thickness for uniform baking.
- Spread Pesto and Cheese: Using a pastry brush, spread an even layer of your prepared pesto sauce over the entire surface of the dough, making sure to leave a ½-inch margin clean around all the edges. This margin helps seal the filling when you roll the dough. Generously sprinkle the grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese evenly over the pesto layer. If needed, use the back of a spoon or a spatula to gently level out the cheese mixture for consistent distribution.
- Roll into a Log: Tightly roll the dough lengthwise into a long log shape. Begin rolling from one of the longer sides of the rectangle. As you roll, apply gentle, even pressure to ensure a nice, tight loaf. Be careful not to use too much pressure, which could cause the pesto filling to ooze out prematurely.
- Slice the Log: Using a sharp knife, kitchen shears, or a bench scraper, carefully slice the log in half lengthwise from top to bottom, creating two long pieces of dough. Try to make one clean, continuous cut for the best results.
- Twist and Shape: Lay the two long dough pieces side-by-side on your work surface, ensuring the cut sides are facing upwards to showcase the beautiful layers of pesto and cheese. Pinch the two pieces firmly together at one end. Gently twist the two pieces together, always keeping the cut sides facing up. This twisting motion is what creates the impressive layered “wreath” effect.
- Form the Wreath: Once twisted, bring the ends of the twisted dough around to meet, forming a large circle or wreath shape. Pinch the two end pieces firmly together to seal them. Carefully transfer the shaped pesto bread to a large cookie sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Final Rise and Bake: Loosely cover the shaped pesto bread with greased plastic wrap (grease the side touching the dough) and allow it to rise in a warm spot for about 60-90 minutes, or until it has almost doubled in size. While it’s rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Egg Wash and Bake: Once risen, gently remove the plastic wrap. In a small bowl, whisk together one large egg with a teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, apply the egg wash evenly over the entire surface of the unbaked twist bread. This will give it that beautiful golden-brown, glossy finish. Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 200°F (93°C).
- Finish and Serve: Once baked, remove the bread wreath from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. While still warm, brush with 2 tablespoons of melted butter for extra richness and shine. Optionally, sprinkle with a pinch of gourmet salt flakes and additional grated cheese for an enhanced flavor and presentation. Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips for a Perfect Pesto Bread Wreath
To ensure your pesto cheese bread turns out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tips in mind:
- Grease the Plastic Wrap: This step is critical to prevent the rising dough from sticking to the plastic wrap. Before covering the dough for its final rise, spray a large sheet of plastic wrap generously with non-stick cooking spray, or lightly coat it with a neutral oil using a pastry brush. Place the greased side down onto the dough.
- Don’t Skip the Egg Wash: The egg wash isn’t just for aesthetics; it plays a vital role in the texture and color of your bread. Whisk one egg and a teaspoon of water together thoroughly. Brush this mixture evenly over the entire surface of the pesto twist bread before baking. This simple step creates that gorgeous, deep golden-brown crust and a subtle sheen.
- Patience Before Serving: We understand the temptation! The aroma of freshly baked pesto twist bread is truly intoxicating. However, please allow the bread wreath to cool slightly for just a few minutes (around 5-10 minutes) after it comes out of the oven. This allows the cheese to set slightly and prevents those dreaded burnt fingertips. The flavors also meld beautifully as it cools down just a bit.
- If Dough is Too Soft to Cut: If, during the slicing step, your dough seems too soft to neatly slice, it may have warmed up too much. No problem! Simply cover it loosely with oiled plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes. This will firm up the dough again, making it much easier to handle and slice cleanly.
Serving Suggestions for Your Pesto Cheese Bread
This versatile pesto cheese bread is more than just an appetizer; it’s a delightful addition to various meals and gatherings. Its pull-apart style makes it incredibly fun and interactive to eat, perfect for sharing and dipping.
- As an Appetizer: It’s a star for holiday parties, festive gatherings, game day snacks, or casual get-togethers. Serve it on a large platter as a centerpiece, allowing guests to tear off warm, cheesy pieces.
- Perfect for Dipping: Enhance the experience by serving it with an array of delicious dips. Classic options include shawarma sauce, creamy ranch dressing, or a pungent garlic aioli. For ultimate comfort food indulgence, offer it alongside a rich cheese sauce made with Velveeta, or an elegant white cheese sauce (Béchamel).
- Accompaniment to Meals: Pair this delicious pesto with bread recipe with your favorite crisp salads for a light yet satisfying meal. It also makes an excellent side dish for hearty main courses like various pasta dishes (think creamy tomato pasta or a simple aglio e olio) or roasted chicken.
- Charcuterie Board Enhancement: If you’re planning an elaborate party spread, include this pesto bread wreath on a charcuterie or antipasto board. Arrange it alongside thinly sliced cured meats, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated olives, and an assortment of fresh cheeses for a truly impressive display that offers a variety of textures and flavors.
- Soup and Stew Companion: There’s nothing quite like warm, savory bread to sop up the last delicious drops of a hearty soup or stew. This pesto cheese bread is an ideal companion for minestrone, tomato soup, or a rich beef stew.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pesto Cheese Bread
If the dough feels overly soft and difficult to slice neatly, it likely means it has become too warm. To firm it up, simply cover the dough loosely with oiled plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. This will cool it down and make it much easier to handle and cut precisely.
The fresh, vibrant herbs in pesto sauce make it incredibly versatile and delicious in many applications. It’s fantastic tossed with cooked pasta, spread on sandwiches, mixed into dips, or drizzled over grilled vegetables. However, those herbal flavors are equally delicious and surprisingly delightful when baked into appetizers like this cheesy pesto bread!
To maintain its freshness and flavor, store any remaining cheesy pesto pull-apart bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to 4 days, though it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Absolutely! Reheating is easy and brings back much of its original warmth and flavor. You can warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds until heated through. For a crispier texture, especially if you want to revive the crust, warm slices or the whole wreath in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly crispy.
Yes, this recipe is perfect for making ahead! You can assemble the bread wreath up to the point of its final rise. After shaping, cover it tightly with greased plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 12-18 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes (or until it has nearly doubled in size) before applying the egg wash and baking as instructed. This makes entertaining much easier!
More Delectable Baked Recipes To Savor…
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
- Baked Camembert Recipe
- Wheat Sandwich Bread Recipe
If you tried this pesto cheese bread recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Pesto Cheese Bread
By Renae Gerhardstein
Pin
Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack, Bread
American
12
servings
10
minutes
20
minutes
1
hour
1
hour
30
minutes
138
Equipment
-
Baking Sheet -
Silicone baking mat – or parchment paper -
Pastry brush -
Prep bowls
Ingredients
-
1 pound frozen bread dough thawed according to package (we used Bridgford) -
¼ cup prepared pesto sauce homemade or store-bought -
½ cup grated parmesan cheese or asiago cheese -
1 large egg beaten (for egg wash) -
2 tablespoons butter melted (for finishing) -
1 teaspoon water (for egg wash) -
Non-stick cooking spray or oil (for plastic wrap)
Instructions
- Thaw the Dough: Let your frozen bread dough thaw completely following the instructions on its package. Refer to our detailed thawing guide above for best results (refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 2-3 hours). Ensure the dough is cold to the touch before proceeding.
On a silicone baking mat, a sheet of parchment paper, or a lightly floured countertop, roll out the thawed dough into a large rectangle, approximately 18 inches x 12 inches. The dough should be about ½-inch thick.
- Spread Pesto and Cheese: Using a pastry brush, spread an even layer of your prepared pesto sauce over the dough, leaving a ½-inch margin around all the edges.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese evenly over the pesto. If needed, use the back of a spoon or spatula to gently spread out the cheese mixture.
- Roll and Slice: Tightly roll the dough lengthwise into a long log shape, starting from one of the long sides.
Using a sharp knife, kitchen shears, or a bench scraper, carefully cut the dough log in half from top to bottom, creating two long pieces of dough.
- Twist and Shape Wreath: Lay the two halves cut-side up, side-by-side. Pinch the pieces together firmly at one end at the top. Then, gently twist them together, always keeping the cut sides facing upwards. This technique creates the beautiful layered look.
Shape the twisted dough into a circle, bringing the two end pieces together and pinching them firmly to seal.
Carefully place the shaped pesto bread onto a large cookie sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Rise and Preheat: Loosely cover the bread with plastic wrap (greased side down) and let it rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes, or until nearly doubled in size. While the bread is rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Egg Wash and Bake: In a small bowl, whisk together the large egg and 1 teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, apply the egg wash evenly over the unbaked twist bread. When the oven is ready, bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the temperature in the center reaches 200°F (93°C).
- Finish and Serve: Let the bread wreath cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Brush with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter and optionally sprinkle with gourmet salt flakes and more grated cheese before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Grease the plastic wrap to prevent sticking: Before baking, the dough needs to rise until it is almost doubled in size. Spray a large sheet of plastic wrap with some non-stick cooking spray, or use a pastry brush to lightly coat it with oil.
- Don’t skip the egg wash: Whisk an egg and a teaspoon of water together to create an egg wash. Brush that over the pesto twist bread before baking to create a gorgeous golden brown crust!
- Let it cool slightly before serving: Trust us; the aroma of the twist bread is so lovely, you will be tempted to start pulling pieces from the wreath right away. Please wait just a few minutes first, or you will end up with burns on your fingertips.
- Dough Temperature is Key: Whichever thawing method you use, be sure the dough is still nice and cold before you begin making the pesto bread.
- If dough warms up: If it is warm to the touch, pop the dough back into the freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm it up.
Ingredient Note:
- If you’re using Bridgford frozen bread dough, there are two loaves per package. You only need one loaf for this recipe.
Recipe Variations:
- Switch up the herbs: Try sun-dried tomato pesto or another flavorful spread like olive tapenade instead of classic basil pesto.
- Garlic butter finish: Brush the bread with garlic butter instead of using an egg wash for extra flavor.
- Tex-Mex twist: Sprinkle with chicken taco seasoning or a dash of chili powder for a spicy kick.
Storing Instructions:
- Store any remaining cheesy pesto pull-apart bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat slices in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for a crispier texture.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
serving
|
Calories:
138
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
18
g
|
Protein:
4
g
|
Fat:
4
g
|
Saturated Fat:
1
g
|
Cholesterol:
17
mg
|
Sodium:
298
mg
|
Potassium:
9
mg
|
Fiber:
1
g
|
Sugar:
1
g
|
Vitamin A:
157
IU
|
Calcium:
60
mg
|
Iron:
1
mg