This delicious loaf features layers of soft and fluffy bread, gooey cheese, garlic, and pesto that can be pulled apart with fingers for a tasty game day snack. Serve with a marinara dipping sauce.
Prep time: 2 hours • Cook Time: 40 minutes • Yield: 1 9x5x3-inch loaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons quick yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 plain low-fat yogurt
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, for greasing
- 2/3 cup basil or roasted red pepper pesto
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
- Combine the flour, salt, and yeast together. Make a well and add the yogurt and melted butter. Mix well. Add the warm water and stir until the dough holds together.
- Place the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 7-10 minutes to form a smooth dough.
- Put the dough into a bowl greased with olive oil, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours – until dough has doubled in volume.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thick rectangle.
- Spread minced garlic and pesto onto the rolled out dough. Sprinkle with Italian Seasoning and black pepper. Add cheese; spreading evenly over the dough.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into equal-sized square slices. Place the cut dough squares into a greased parchment-lined 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Stack each piece vertically until they form a loaf.
- Brush top of dough with melted butter.
- Cover the loaf pan with foil and place into preheated oven. Bake covered for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil. Add more grated cheese to top of loaf. Bake a further 10 minutes or until cooked through.
- Cool for 15 minutes and then remove loaf from pan.
Note: You can substitute the cheese, if desired, to Asiago or Cheddar. If you wish, you can use store-bought refrigerated dough instead of making the dough from scratch.
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