Braided Pesto Loaf

Ingredients

    Bread dough

  • 500g bread flour
  • 8g dried instant yeast
  • 10g caster sugar
  • 10g sea salt
  • 300ml warm water
  • 60ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 30ml white vinegar

    Pesto

  • 2 cups (50g) fresh basil leaves
  • 80g pinenuts
  • 100ml olive oil
  • 2 large cloves of garlic, peeled
  • 5g sea salt
  • Freshly ground pepper


Recipe serves: 10

Appliance/Function: Cakes Plus and Steam Combination

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 50 minutes

Method

Pesto

Place all ingredients into a food processor. Process to a fine pesto consistency and set aside.

Bread dough

Place all ingredients into the bowl of an electric stand mixer.

Using a dough hook attachment, start on a low speed until all ingredients are well combined.

Increase speed to medium and knead for 3-5 minutes. Turn dough out into an oiled bowl, cover with cling wrap and place into the oven on Conventional at 40°C.

Allow to prove for at least an hour, or until doubled in size.

Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and roll out into a 45cm x 35cm rectangle. The rectangle should lie with the 45cm edges running horizontal in front of you.

Spread the rectangle thinly with the pesto (leave 2cm without pesto along edge closest to you).

Gently roll the dough tightly up into a log, starting with the top edge, rolling towards you.

Using a dough scraper cut the log in half lengthwise. With the layers of pesto facing upwards, cross one half over the other to make an X. From the centre cross the left over the right, repeat towards yourself to create a braid. Return to the centre and repeat this braiding in the opposite direction.

Start at one end and turn the braid to form a giant ‘scroll’. Place on a 27cm round baking tray.

Cover loosely with cling wrap and return to the warm oven on Conventional at 40°C for 30 minutes.

Remove the loaf from the oven and change the oven setting to Moisture Plus at 190°C + 2 manual bursts of steam.

Allow the oven to pre-heat. Place loaf on shelf position 2 once temperature is reached. Close the door and release a burst of steam immediately, release the second burst of steam after 10 minutes. Total cooking time 25-30 minutes. Loaf should be golden brown. Place loaf on a rack to cool.

HINTS AND TIPS

Pre-made pesto can be substituted for fresh if preferred.

Dough scrapers are also known as dough cards and are available from kitchen equipment stores.

Recipe Presented by Miele

Brands you can trust

Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation, Winning Appliances acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Winning Appliances LogoCopyright © 2025 Winning Appliances. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2025 Winning Appliances. All rights reserved.