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PESTO BABKA

Braided Pesto Babka

Gari
Braided Pesto Babka not only looks extremely gorgeous but surely will leave an impact when you serve it with some flavored olive oil, hummus, sauce, or soup of your choice. It is made by adding a generous layer of pesto in the dough, which is then shaped into a braid.
4.41 from 5 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Resting Time: 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 55 mins
Course Bread,
Cuisine American
Calories 1692 kcal

Equipment

Instant Pot
Stand Mixer
Food Processor
9X5 inch Loaf Pan

Ingredients
  

Basil-Mint Pesto

  • 2 cups Basil Leaves rinsed
  • ½ cup Mint Leaves
  • ¼ cup Walnuts or Pine Nuts
  • ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese or Vegan Parmesan Cheese
  • ½ cup Olive Oil Extra-Virgin
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • Salt & Pepper

Braided Pesto Babka

  • 2 cups Bread Flour or any other flour
  • 4 tablespoon Pesto Sauce
  • ¾ cup Warm Milk or Warm Water
  • 1 teaspoon Instant Yeast
  • 2 tablespoon Sugar or Honey or Sweetener
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ cup Butter/ Oil melted
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame Seeds roasted

Instructions
 

Basil-Mint Pesto:

  • Toss all the ingredients in a food processor. And blend the mixture until everything is combined well. Keep it aside.

Braided Pesto Babka:

  • Mix Honey & 2 tablespoon of butter in warm milk until combined. Then add Instant Yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes (or as per instructions) until foamy & bubbly.
  • Add flour in the stand mixer attached bowl. Then add yeast mixture with salt to the flour and start kneading at medium speed. Knead until everything is combined & it starts to form like a dough.
    (Note: You can add more warm milk or water if needed).
  • Instant Pot: Place dough on parchment paper & transfer it into Instant Pot. Using Yogurt setting, let the dough rise for 1 hour.
    Or you can also raise the dough by covering the bowl with a plate. And let it sit in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
  • Once the dough has risen, knead it one more time. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough in a rectangular shape until it is ¼- ½ inch in thickness. (Check Images in step-by-step instructions above)
  • Add a generous layer of pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought) in the middle. Leave the sides, as it will help in rolling the dough if it doesn't have any sauce there. (Check Images in step-by-step instructions above)
  • Beginning with the longer side, roll the dough in a log shape. Use some flour, if the dough is sticking. Seal the dough log from the other corner of the dough. (Check Images in step-by-step instructions above)
  • Lightly sprinkle some flour on both sides. Then using a knife or a pizza cutter, slice the dough from the middle. Then crisscross the two ends by twisting the dough like a braid. Transfer this dough braid into a loaf pan. (Check Images in step-by-step instructions above)
  • Brush the dough with leftover melted butter. Add some toppings (like sesame. seeds, parmesan cheese, etc.). Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cover the dough until the oven preheats.
  • Once the oven is preheated, bake the dough for 30-40 minutes until the crust is brown. Let it cool for 10-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can make your fresh Pesto using some fresh ingredients, or you can also use your favorite store-bought one.
SOME TIPS
  • Mix honey or any sweetener with liquid. Honey or sugar will help in activating the yeast quickly.
  • The liquid (milk/water) should be warm and not hot. If the liquid is hot, you won't be able to activate the yeast.
  • Knead the flour and yeast mixture until it forms like a dough. Don't over-mix it.
  • For rising the dough, you can place the dough in a warm place for 1-2 hours or in an Instant Pot.
  • Before baking the dough, brush some butter or olive oil on it. This will help in making the crush brown & crispy.
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Nutrition Facts
Braided Pesto Babka
Serving Size
 
1 grams
Amount per Serving
Calories
 
1692
Calories from Fat 585
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
65
g
100
%
Saturated Fat
 
12
g
75
%
Cholesterol
 
22
mg
7
%
Sodium
 
4353
mg
189
%
Potassium
 
635
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
 
228
g
76
%
Fiber
 
15
g
63
%
Sugar
 
29
g
32
%
Protein
 
54
g
108
%
Vitamin A
 
4202
IU
84
%
Vitamin C
 
22
mg
27
%
Calcium
 
609
mg
61
%
Iron
 
6
mg
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Instant Pot, Instant Pot Bread, Homemade, Babka
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