DISCLAIMER: THIS PAGE MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS.

This Tear and Share Pesto Garlic Bread is the ultimate side for your next Italian dinner. Only a little kneading needed. Only 2 easy proves. Then lots of pesto and garlic butter is brushed in the cracks for a pull apart bread of dreams. Expect not to have leftovers!

I love a good garlic bread, and this has to be one of my all time favourites. Every single groove is packed with a garlic butter/pesto combo and then the top just crisps enough. The perfect dipping vessel for pasta sauce, or simply serve as part of an antipasti style lunch.

For the kneading, initially you’ll need to do about 10 minutes. Then there is a one hour prove. This is followed by some rolling of dough balls, packing these with butter, before folding and placing in the pan. One more 30 minute rest and then baking. If you’re usually afraid to work with dough/yeast, this is a good one to start with!

I make this Tear and Share Pesto Garlic Bread in a classic 2lb loaf tin (like this one) and recommend a high speed mixer with a dough hook attachment to do lots of the kneading work (this is what I use and am in love with). For more savoury baking, check out these Red Pepper and Feta Puffs or these Cheese and Sun-dried Tomato Bread Swirls. For more baking inspiration and videos, head on over to my Instagram.

Tear and Share Pesto Garlic Bread
Tear and Share Pesto Garlic Bread

Tear and Share Pesto Garlic Bread

The softest, fluffiest pull apart bread is packed with a pesto garlic butter for the best loaf ever. This is an easy loaf, and will definitely be eaten up in no time – best served warm! This is made in a 2lb loaf tin, and can easily be doubled if you're feeding a large family/big group! Feel free to use entirely plain flour if preferred.
Print Pin
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 10
Author: Florence Jackson

Ingredients

  • 7 g Dried Active Yeast (1 sachet)
  • 250 ml Lukewarm Water
  • 55 g Salted Butter Melted
  • 200 g White Bread Flour
  • 160 g Plain Flour
  • 1 tsp Dried Italian Herbs
  • 1 tsp Garlic Granules/Powder
  • 1 tsp Salt

For the Pesto Garlic Butter

  • 85 g Salted Butter Softened
  • 5 tsp Green Pesto (Store bought is fine)
  • 1 tsp Dried Italian Herbs
  • 5 Garlic Cloves Minced

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer with dough hook attachment, add the yeast and warm water and let sit to 'bloom' for 10 minutes. It should look bubbly. Then add the butter, both types of flour and seasoning and bring together. Once a shaggy dough has formed, knead for 10 minutes by hand or 5-7 mins in the mixer (on medium).
  • The dough should form into a ball, but will be a little springy. Lightly oil the bowl you just used, place the dough back into it, cover with a tea towel and let rest in a warm place for 1 hour + (until doubled in size).
  • Cut the dough into 12 pieces. Roll into balls and then use a rolling pin to roll these into flat circles. Line a 2lb loaf tin with greaseproof paper.
  • Make the pesto garlic butter by combining all ingredients (make sure the butter is soft/warm).
  • Place about 2 tsp of this garlicky pesto mixture onto the circular disks of dough and spread over evenly with a pastry brush. Keep any mixture that's leftover
  • Fold the dough circles in half to form 12 semi-circles. Place these into the tin, with the filling/open side facing up (the flat side on the bottom). Line all the pieces of dough up until all are in the tin – they should be touching but don't worry if there are any gaps. Cover and let rest 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Brush over the remaining pesto garlic butter over the top before baking for 45-50 minutes. It should be a golden brown on top.
  • Let cool on a wire rack, and brush over a little melted butter for that gorgeous shine. Serve whilst still warm for best results!

Similar Posts