Pesto Focaccia Bread

By Rachel // June 9, 2014 // 34 comments //

Homemade focaccia bread topped off with a flavorful basil-pesto sauce. A perfect addition to any dinner plans!

Homemade focaccia bread topped off with a flavorful basil-pesto sauce. Recipe from @bakedbyrachel

I was pretty sad when my basil plants had reached their final days. I knew it would happen eventually. But after enjoying fresh basil all winter, it was hard to give it up. I should have just grown some in a garden outside or in a pot, because it’s the right season. But I couldn’t. I’m lazy like that I guess.

I keep wanting to have a real garden. I’ve talked about it before, my big dreams and visions and ideas. I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to gardening ideas. But it’s just dreams so far.

So, I bought another basil seed kit for my AeroGarden. I’m obsessed with it. So easy to use. And that means, lots more delicious basil recipes coming your way. Well, once the plants are big enough. They’re still teeny baby plants at the moment. Super cute. Yup, plants can be cute.

Homemade focaccia bread topped off with a flavorful basil-pesto sauce. Recipe from @bakedbyrachel

I knew what I wanted to do with my final basil harvest. More carbs.

Obviously!

Because pesto goes amazing with carbs… bread, pizza, pasta, you name it. Seriously, try it.

A fresh batch of super flavorful basil pesto sauce, slathered on tender homemade focaccia bread. It doesn’t get much better than that! We couldn’t get enough of this pesto focaccia bread. I may have even packed some in my oldest daughter’s school lunch as a surprise! She loved it!

Add this to your dinner plans or whip up a batch for your next gathering.

Homemade focaccia bread topped off with a flavorful basil-pesto sauce. Recipe from @bakedbyrachel

Print Recipe

Pesto Focaccia Bread

Homemade focaccia bread topped off with a flavorful basil-pesto sauce. A perfect addition to any dinner plans!
Prep Time45 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time1 hr 10 mins
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 plus

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 1 C white whole wheat flour*
  • 2 1/2 C all purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 tsp rapid rise yeast**
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 C warm water
  • 5 Tbsp olive oil divided

Pesto:

  • 2 C fresh basil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 C Parmesan cheese
  • 3-4 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  • To the bowl of a stand mixer, with dough hook attachment in place, add flour, yeast, salt and sugar. With mixer running on low, slowly add warm water (heated to 115°F) and 3 Tbsp olive oil. Increase mixer speed, mixing until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly greased 13x9-inch pan. Press dough into all corners, cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes in a warm location.
  • Meanwhile, prepare pesto sauce. In a food processor, blend basil leaves with garlic cloves and cheese. Slowly add 3-4 Tbsp olive oil. Transfer to a small bowl, cover and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Grease the round end of a wooden spoon and poke holes throughout dough. Drizzle with remaining olive oil. Spread pesto sauce over entire surface. Store any remaining pesto sauce for future use (see note below).
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow bread to cool before slicing. Store in an airtight container for up to several days.

Notes

Recipe serves roughly 12-16, yields 1: 13x9-inch loaf
*All purpose flour may be used in place of the white whole wheat flour
**Rapid rise or instant yeast must be used, not active dry yeast.
***Freeze any remaining pesto sauce in ice cube trays for future use, or store chilled and use within one week.
An original recipe from Baked by Rachel

More recipes to try:
Braided pesto bread
Pesto chicken lasagna rolls
Bacon-basil pesto and chicken pizza
Chicken enchilada pizza
Soft Italian bread
Chicken parm meatballs
Chicken schnitzel
Spicy barbecue chicken salad

This post contains affiliate links.

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34 Responses to “Pesto Focaccia Bread”

  1. #
    1
    Chloe @ foodlikecake — June 9, 2014 at 6:15 am

    This looks amazing!

    • #
      1.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:35 am

      Thanks Chloe!

  2. #
    2
    Bri | Bites of Bri — June 9, 2014 at 6:28 am

    Rachel, I love foccacia so this is awesome! I had no idea it was so easy to make at home. I planted a basil plant already this spring so when I have loads of basil, I’ll be making this.

    • #
      2.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:35 am

      It’s SO easy, which means you have to make some now! :)

  3. #
    3
    Marie @ Little Kitchie — June 9, 2014 at 7:40 am

    I could eat all of this! Looks SO good!

    • #
      3.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:35 am

      Thanks Marie!

  4. #
    4
    Leah | So, How's It Taste? — June 9, 2014 at 10:14 am

    Focaccia is so good! I love how you can top it with just about anything. That pesto on top looks delish. I’m pretty sure I could eat my weight in that bread!

    • #
      4.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:36 am

      It’s truly so versatile!

  5. #
    5
    Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures — June 9, 2014 at 11:19 am

    Yum! Comfort food at it’s best. I need to get a basil plant. I spend so much on buying fresh basil from the grocery store.

    • #
      5.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:36 am

      Thanks Laura!

  6. #
    6
    Tasha @ ThatsSoYummy — June 9, 2014 at 11:19 am

    Focaccia and I have a love hate relationship I LOVE eating but HATE what it does to my hips… hehehe

    • #
      6.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:36 am

      Haha I couldn’t agree more BUT it’s too tasty to not enjoy :)

  7. #
    7
    sally @ sallys baking addiction — June 9, 2014 at 11:53 am

    This is a must make Rachel! I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off of it. I love pesto + bread in any which way.

    • #
      7.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:36 am

      Thanks Sally! :)

  8. #
    8
    Julie @ Table for Two — June 9, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Ahhh I’ve always wanted to make focaccia at home but alas, you know me and my yeast issues ;) love all the pesto!! You know how I feel about basil; my favorite herb!!

    • #
      8.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:37 am

      Haha! We need to work on those issues.

  9. #
    9
    Meagan @ A Zesty Bite — June 9, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    I’m a sucker for focaccia bread and a sucker for anything with pesto. I’m in love with this recipe.

    • #
      9.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:37 am

      Thanks Meagan!

  10. #
    10
    Lauren at Keep It Sweet — June 9, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    I was thinking about making your braided pesto bread this week but now I think I might have to make this foccacia instead!

    • #
      10.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:38 am

      Or you could make both… the baby totally needs to try both lol ;)

  11. #
    11
    Lauren at Keep It Sweet — June 9, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    *focaccia

  12. #
    12
    amanda @ fake ginger — June 9, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    Focaccia is my favorite! I wish I could grow herbs here. The sun just scorches them. :(

    • #
      12.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:38 am

      You NEED an AeroGarden then. It’d be so perfect.

  13. #
    13
    Medeja — June 10, 2014 at 7:13 am

    I must try make focaccia at home! I just love it but never really tried making myself :)

    • #
      13.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 7:38 am

      You really must! It’s SO easy! :)

  14. #
    14
    Rachel Cooks — June 10, 2014 at 7:59 am

    This looks so wonderful! Love it!

    • #
      14.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 4:27 pm

      Thanks Rachel!

  15. #
    15
    Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie — June 10, 2014 at 11:46 am

    Ah! I still need to make your pesto braided bread too.

    • #
      15.1
      Rachel — June 10, 2014 at 4:27 pm

      There’s always room for more bread ;)

  16. #
    16
    Alyssa {Cake, Crust, and Sugar Dust} — June 10, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    I’m feeling doubly happy that I’m stumbling across not only a yummy bread recipe, but also a pesto recipe! I love pesto, and I certainly love bread! So ready to try this!!

  17. #
    17
    Renee @ Awesome on $20 — June 17, 2014 at 11:29 pm

    This does sound ridiculously amazing. Warm chewy bed exploding with basil flavor. I’ll have it all, please.

    • #
      17.1
      Rachel — June 18, 2014 at 11:53 am

      Thanks Renee!

  18. #
    18
    Karen — December 6, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    I made your recipe and loved it! I grow basil in my vegetable garden and was looking for a recipe to use some pesto that I had already made. I served it with a kale, bean and sausage soup. It was delicious.

    • #
      18.1
      Rachel — December 7, 2017 at 6:51 am

      So glad you enjoyed it, Karen! :)

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