Panera Tomato Basil Bread Recipe

This is a copycat recipe of the Panera Tomato Basil Bread, a bread full of tomato and basil flavors.

My last copycat recipe shared was Ted’s Montana Grill Pickles, and as I mentioned before, this month will be the month of copycats. I see so many people love the Panera Tomato Basil Bread, so I decided to make a homemade version that’s easy to prepare with the right ingredients.

The bread available at Panera is so good, moist, and full of flavors, which I tried to replicate in my own version. I used ingredients based on basil and sun-dried tomatoes. To make it even better, I added a topping made with melted butter and Parmesan cheese. The taste is delicious and perfect to serve as a side with your main dinner.

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 3 ¾ cups bread flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ½ cup warm water
• ¾ cup warm milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

For the Topping:

• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

How to Make Panera Tomato Basil Bread?

Preparing the Dough:

Step 1:

In a big bowl, mix warm water, warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Please wait 5 minutes.

Step 2:

Add olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and basil. Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Step 3:

Slowly add flour, one cup at a time, and stir. Knead the dough for 8 minutes until stretchy.

Step 4:

Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it sit for 1 hour.

Shaping and Second Rise:

Step 1:

Press the dough down and shape it into a loaf. Put it on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cover it again and wait 30–40 minutes.

Baking:

Step 1:

Turn on the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle parmesan cheese if you want.

Step 2:

Bake for 25–30 minutes after that enjoy.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Dough hook or wooden spoon
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Wire rack
• Pastry brush

What to Serve with Panera Tomato Basil Bread?

I will start with a bowl of soup, like a creamy tomato soup or a simple vegetable soup as the first option to have with this Panera Tomato Basil Bread. Also mac and cheese, like Mission BBQ’s creamy Mac and Cheese, would be so delicious to have with the bread’s flavors. Also, hummus dip can be great to have too. And you can enjoy it as a side to any pasta dish especially if the pasta dish is mixed with seafood like Baby Octopus and Tomato Spaghetti.

FAQ

How do I store the bread?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes?

Yes.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

You can replace half of the bread flour with whole wheat flour.

Can I add cheese inside the dough?

Yes, this is a great idea, Mix shredded cheese into the dough.

How can I make this bread gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free bread flour blend and check that your yeast is gluten-free too.

What if my dough doesn’t rise?

Make sure your liquid ingredients are warm, but not hot.

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