Panera Bread Tomato Basil Bread Recipe

This Panera Bread Tomato Basil Bread is a soft and aromatic recipe, which includes rich tomato paste and sweet dried basil. It’s the perfect base for savory sandwiches, ready in about 3 hours (including rising time).

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Panera Bread Tomato Basil Bread Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 ¼ cups Bread flour (plus extra for kneading)
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1 cup warm water (110°F)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp honey (or sugar)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp paprika (for color)

For the Tomato Glaze Topping

• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey (or sugar)
• ½ tsp dried basil
• Pinch of salt

How To Make Panera Bread Tomato Basil Bread

1. Activate the liquid: In a measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the warm water, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, honey, and olive oil until the tomato paste is fully dissolved and the liquid is an orange-red color.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl), combine the bread flour, instant yeast, salt, dried basil, garlic powder, and paprika.
3. Form the dough: Pour the tomato liquid into the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed (or stir with a wooden spoon) until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead the dough: Knead on medium speed with a dough hook for 7–10 minutes, or by hand on a floured surface for 10–12 minutes. The dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky (orange in color) but not sticking to your fingers.
5. First rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough inside, turning it once to coat the top. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Shape the loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf about 9 inches long. Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
7. Second rise: Cover the loaf pan loosely and let it rise again for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the dough crowns about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
8. Make the glaze and bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, mix the glaze ingredients (tomato paste, oil, honey, basil, salt) into a smooth paste. Gently brush this glaze over the top of the risen loaf. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is dark reddish-brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Cool: Remove the bread from the pan immediately and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Recipe Tips

• Why use bread flour: Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which creates the chewy, structured crumb characteristic of Panera’s artisan breads.
• The signature glaze: The sticky, sweet-savory topping is what makes this bread unique. Brushing it on before baking allows it to caramelize and form a crust. If it starts to brown too quickly in the oven, tent the loaf with foil for the last 10 minutes.
• Enhancing the color: The paprika helps mimic the orange hue of the original bread without adding heat. You can also swap the water for tomato juice if you want an even more intense tomato flavor.
• Slicing tip: Because this bread is soft and has a sticky glaze, it is crucial to wait until it is 100% cool before slicing. Cutting it while warm will gum up the crumbs.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Tomato Basil Bread

This bread is best known for sandwiches but is great on its own.

• Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich: The specific bread required for this classic.
• Tomato Soup: Excellent for dipping or making croutons.
• Grilled Cheese: The basil flavor elevates a simple cheese melt.
• Avocado Toast: A savory base for breakfast.

How To Store Panera Bread Tomato Basil Bread

• Store: Keep the bread in a plastic bag or bread box at room temperature for up to 3 days. The glaze will soften the crust over time.
• Freeze: Slice the bread entirely, then place parchment paper between slices and freeze in a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Toast directly from frozen.

Panera Bread Tomato Basil Bread Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 140kcal
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fat: 2.5g
• Saturates: 0.5g
• Sugar: 3g
• Salt: 0.8g

Nutrition information is estimated per slice (based on 12 slices).

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