Savory Caprese Bread: A Fresh Italian Bread Recipe
Savory Caprese Bread is a delightful Italian-inspired quick bread that combines the fresh flavors of mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil in a moist and tender loaf. This bread is perfect for an appetizer, snack, or a side with your favorite meal, featuring a balanced blend of savory ingredients with a hint of garlic and optional spice.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
Add-ins
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Optional: pinch of black pepper or red pepper flakes for a kick
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a loaf pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, olive oil, and plain Greek yogurt or sour cream until smooth and fully combined, creating a creamy base for the bread batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Incorporate Dry Into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread light and fluffy.
- Add Cheese, Tomatoes, and Basil: Fold in the shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and optional pinch of black pepper or red pepper flakes. Mix until evenly distributed through the batter.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top gently with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve as desired.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overmixing the batter once the dry ingredients are added.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil add richness; if using dry-packed tomatoes, rehydrate them in warm water before chopping.
- Fresh basil is recommended for bright flavor, but dried basil can be used in a pinch.
- This bread is delicious warm or at room temperature and pairs well with soups and salads.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer preservation.
Keywords: Caprese bread, savory bread, Italian bread, mozzarella bread, sun-dried tomato bread, basil bread, quick bread, savory loaf