Brioche bread with pesto

17/11/2023

Preparing brioche bread with pesto is a delicious way to add an Italian touch to a classic French bakery recipe. Here is a recipe that you might enjoy.

Ingredients

500 g of bread flour
250 ml of warm milk
100 g of soft butter
70 g of sugar
2 eggs (1 for the dough and 1 for brushing)
25 g of fresh brewer’s yeast or 7 g of dry brewer’s yeast
10 g of salt
150 g of Genovese pesto
(Optional) Pine nuts or grated cheese for garnish

Preparation

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk with a spoonful of sugar. Cover and let it rest for a few minutes until it starts to foam.
In the same bowl, add the flour, the remaining sugar, one egg, and start kneading.
Incorporate the soft butter in small pieces and continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Add the salt and knead for a few more minutes.
Form a ball with the dough, place it in a lightly oiled bowl and let it rise covered in a warm place, away from drafts, for about 2 hours or until it doubles in volume.
Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a work surface and roll it into a rectangle using a rolling pin.
Spread the Genovese pesto evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the perimeter.
Roll up the dough starting from the long side to create a log. Make sure to seal the edge well.
Cut the log into slices about 3-4 cm thick.
Arrange the slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each one. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30-40 minutes.
Beat the remaining egg and brush the surface of the brioche bread.
(Optional) Sprinkle the surface of the brioche bread with pine nuts or grated cheese.
Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
Bake the brioche bread for about 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden.
Let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Trivia

Brioche bread is a recipe originating from France, while pesto is a typical creation from Genoa. By combining these two elements, you’ll get a soft and flavorful bread that marries the delicacy of the brioche with the freshness and distinctive taste of pesto. This preparation is perfect for a brunch, a picnic, or as a delicious appetizer in an Italian meal.