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Caprese Pull-Apart Bread

Caprese Pull-Apart Bread
The word “caprese” instantly denotes the trio of sliced fresh tomato, whole basil leaves, and fresh mozzarella served as an appetizer or salad. This iteration makes use of soft oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped basil, and shredded fresh mozzarella layered between thin pieces of dough that bake golden brown on the outside, burst with flavor on the inside, and should absolutely be shared.
Yield 1 (9×5-inch) loaf
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Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour, divided
  • 2 tablespoons (24g) granulated sugar
  • 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Platinum Yeast
  • 2 teaspoons (6g) kosher salt (see note)
  • 3/4 cup (180g) whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) olive oil
  • 1 large (50g) egg, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves (3g) garlic, minced
  • 1 (8-ounce) ball (226g) fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup (80g) drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (10g) chopped fresh basil
  • Garnish: torn fresh basil, sun-dried tomato oil

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 1 cup (125 grams) flour, sugar, yeast, and salt by hand.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until an instant-read thermometer registers 120°F (49°C) to 130°F (54°C).
  • Using the paddle attachment, with mixer on medium speed, add warm milk and olive oil to flour mixture, beating until combined, about 1 minute. Add egg, and beat until combined. With mixer on low speed, gradually add remaining 1½ cups (188 grams) flour, beating until well combined and stopping to scrape sides of bowl, about 1 minute.
  • Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at medium speed until dough is smooth and elastic and pulls away from sides of bowl, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Lightly spray a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • In a small bowl, stir together melted butter and garlic.
  • Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with baking spray with flour. Line pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over long sides of pan.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle (about ¼ inch thick), with one long side closest to you. Using a pastry brush, brush butter mixture onto dough. Top with shredded mozzarella, tomatoes, and chopped basil. Cut dough into 16 rectangles (about 4×3 inches each).
  • Stand prepared pan vertically on one short side. Starting at bottom, carefully layer dough pieces, filling side up, one on top of the other. For final piece of dough, place in pan filling side down. Turn pan upright onto its bottom. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Tuck any exposed tomatoes inside dough pieces.
  • Bake until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 190°F (88°C), 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Using excess parchment as handles, remove from pan, and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Garnish with torn basil and tomato oil, if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Salt weight and volume vary by brand. Diamond Crystal kosher salt was used in this recipe (1 tablespoon is 9 grams). If you a have different brand or type of salt, use the weight listed in the recipe, not the volume measurement. If you do not have a scale, check your brand’s website for what the equivalent volume measurement is for the weight listed in this recipe.
 
Recipe by Bake From Scratch.

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Review & Comments

Sharon Herman | Reply

Can you substitute fresh tomatoes for this recipe?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Sharon,

Unfortunately I think they would be too watery. I would suggest sautéing them in olive oil to release some of the water or else roast them in the oven.

Happy Baking!

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