Pesto Christmas Tree Bread

Upgraded: Oct. 29, 2023

Pesto Christmas Tree Bread Recipe picture by Taste of Home

Components

• 1 plan (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110 ° to 115 °)
• 3/4 cup warm 2 % milk( 110 ° to 115 °)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 big egg, space temperature level
• 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups versatile flour, divided
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup ready pesto
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 big egg, gently beaten, optional
• Optional garnishes: Sliced cherry tomatoes, star-shaped cheese pieces, fresh basil and marinara sauce

Instructions

1. In a little bowl, liquify yeast in warm water; let stand till bubbly, 5-7 minutes. In big bowl, integrate milk, butter, egg, yeast mix, 2 cups flour, sugar and salt; mix till smooth. Stir in sufficient staying flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn dough onto a floured surface area; knead up until smooth and flexible, 6-8 minutes. Location in a greased bowl, turning when to grease the top. Cover and let increase in a warm location up until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 375 °. Punch down dough. Turn onto a gently floured surface area; divide into 2 parts. Roll 1 part into a 15×11-in. rectangular shape on parchment paper. Leaving on the parchment paper, transfer dough to a baking sheetSpread with pesto and spray with Parmesan. On a gently floured surface area, roll staying dough into a 15×11-in. rectangular shape; thoroughly location over pesto-topped dough.
4. Organize the pan so a brief side is facing you. Mark the center of the leading edge of the rectangular shape with a shallow indention as a recommendation point (this will be the leading point of the tree shape). From leading center point, cut diagonal lines to decrease left and ideal corners of the rectangular shape (forming a long triangle that produces the tree shape).
5. Utilizing a 2-1/2-in. star-shaped cutter, cut stars out of the 2 smaller sized triangles of dough that are outside the primary tree shape; transfer stars to another parchment-lined baking sheetCover and let increase in a warm location for 15 minutes. If preferred, brush stars with beaten egg. Bake till golden brown, 12-14 minutes. Transfer to a cake rack to cool.
6. Get rid of and dispose of scraps from dough triangles where stars were cut, leaving just big tree shape on baking sheetMark a 1-in.-large column down center of tree for trunk with a shallow indention as a referral. Beginning at the bottom of the tree, cut 1-in.-large strips on both sides of trunk, cutting perpendicular to significant center column and stopping about 3 in. from leading point of tree.
7. Eliminate bottom 2 strips from left and best side of center column, developing base of trunk. Twist staying strips (longer strips two times and much shorter strips as soon as), pushing ends carefully onto the parchment. Cover and let and let increase in a warm location till practically doubled, about 30 minutes.
8. If wanted, brush tree with staying beaten egg. Bake till golden brown and prepared through, 15-18 minutes. Get rid of from oven; cool on pan for 10 minutes before eliminating to cake rack to cool. If wanted, garnish with baked bread stars, tomatoes, sliced up cheese stars and basil. Serve with warm marinara sauce or extra pesto.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 189 calories, 9g fat (3g filled fat), 23mg cholesterol, 321mg salt, 23g carb (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.