Name: Caprese Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-489535H27M54S
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 large eggs; ½ cup whole milk; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese; ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained); ¼ cup chopped fresh basil; Optional: Pinch of black pepper or red pepper flakes for a kick

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If you’re searching for an appetizer or snack that’s practically guaranteed to disappear in minutes, you have to try Caprese Bread. Imagine a golden, tender loaf, bursting with gooey mozzarella, savory sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic fresh basil — all the best parts of a Caprese salad, baked right into every slice. Whether you’re looking to impress at your next dinner party, want something delicious for lunch, or just crave a cheesy, herby bread to pair with your favorite meal, this Caprese Bread hits all the right notes. It’s easy, quick to throw together, and always gets glowing reviews from anyone lucky enough to try it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple, everyday ingredients come together to create a loaf that tastes anything but ordinary. Each item plays a starring role: from the creamy cheese that adds melt-in-your-mouth richness, to those vibrant bursts of basil and sun-dried tomato that liven up every bite.

Eggs: Bring structure and richness to the bread, ensuring a moist and tender crumb.
Whole milk: Keeps the bread delightfully soft and balances out the savory ingredients.
Olive oil: Adds subtle fruity flavor and helps create a luxuriously soft loaf.
Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream: The secret to a slight tang and extra moisture—don’t skip this!
All-purpose flour: Your trusty base, making the bread airy yet sturdy enough to slice.
Baking powder: Give your loaf that beautiful rise and light texture.
Salt: Just enough to heighten all those beautiful flavors.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle hit of savory depth that makes the Caprese Bread truly crave-worthy.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into pockets of gooey, creamy goodness throughout the bread.
Chopped sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained): Intensely flavorful and a perfect match with mozzarella and basil.
Chopped fresh basil: Bright, fragrant, and essential for that classic Caprese Bread taste.
Optional black pepper or red pepper flakes: Add a gentle kick if you love a little heat with your cheese.

How to Make

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Loaf Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grease and line an 8×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. This little step makes it a breeze to lift out the finished loaf, and helps keep the bread beautifully golden on all sides.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, olive oil, and yogurt (or sour cream) until the mixture is smooth and everything is fully combined. This is where the bread’s decadent, moist texture begins.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. Giving these a quick whisk ensures that your bread will rise evenly and that every slice has the perfect balance of flavors.

Step 4: Blend It All Together

Add the dry mixture to your wet mixture and stir gently—just until everything is incorporated. Be careful to avoid overmixing, which keeps the bread tender. Fold in the mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil, making sure these yummy add-ins are evenly scattered throughout the batter.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until you see a gorgeous golden top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma will make it nearly impossible to wait!

Step 6: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy

Let your Caprese Bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes—this is hard, but worth it to keep those slices neat and tender. Transfer to a wire rack, then slice and serve while still warm, or at room temperature if you can resist for that long.

How to Serve

Garnishes

You can elevate every slice by scattering a few extra fresh basil leaves over the top just before serving. A drizzle of good olive oil or a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a burst of flavor and color, making your Caprese Bread look as amazing as it tastes.

Side Dishes

Caprese Bread is so flavorful it can easily shine on its own, but it absolutely loves company. Pair it with a bowl of tomato soup, crisp green salads, hearty pastas, or a simple platter of roasted vegetables for a cozy Italian-inspired meal. It’s also a wonderful companion to any main dish that could use a cheesy, herby upgrade.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, slice your Caprese Bread into cubes and serve as part of a party platter with toothpicks and a balsamic glaze for dipping. Or, lightly toast slices and top them with fresh tomatoes and a mozzarella round for an open-faced Caprese crostini—pure crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover Caprese Bread in plastic wrap or tuck it into an airtight container, and it’ll stay perfectly soft at room temperature for up to three days. If you’d like the bread to last longer, you can pop it in the fridge, but for the very best texture, room temp is the way to go.

Freezing

Want to save some for later? Simply slice your loaf, wrap the slices well (individually for easy grabbing!), and freeze for up to a month. This makes it super convenient to defrost just what you need, whenever the craving for Caprese Bread strikes.

Reheating

To bring chilled or frozen slices back to their fresh-baked glory, arrange them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. The cheese gets melty again and the outside crisps up beautifully—it’s just like new, maybe even better.

FAQs

Can I use a different cheese besides mozzarella?

Absolutely! While mozzarella gives that gooey, classic Caprese Bread experience, you can try mild provolone or even Monterey Jack for a flavorful spin. Just keep in mind that different cheeses may melt a bit differently.

What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes in oil?

No problem—if you have dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, soak them in warm water for about 15 minutes, then pat dry before chopping. The taste will still be incredible and you’ll get those little bursts of sweet tomato in every bite.

Can this bread be made gluten-free?

You bet! Just swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious—Caprese Bread loves to adapt to your needs.

Is it possible to make Caprese Bread ahead for a gathering?

Definitely. Caprese Bread actually keeps really well, so you can bake it the day before. Slice it just before serving for the freshest flavor, or give the slices a quick warm-up in the oven before guests arrive.

Do I have to use fresh basil, or can I substitute dried?

Fresh basil is what gives Caprese Bread its signature aroma and color. If using dried, reduce the amount to about one-third, since dried herbs are more concentrated, but the flavor won’t be as bold or vibrant as the fresh version.

Final Thoughts

Caprese Bread is the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to, again and again—simple to bake, always impressive, and so very comforting to eat. Try it once, and it’s bound to become a favorite in your own kitchen. You deserve to taste just how delicious homemade bread can be!