Description
Homemade caprese bread combines classic Italian flavors with rustic bread. Fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes create a delightful Mediterranean-inspired experience you’ll savor with each delicious slice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf bread (16 oz / 454 g, rustic type like focaccia or pugliese)
- 10 oz (284 g) fresh mozzarella, sliced thinly
- 4–6 ripe tomatoes, sliced
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, halved
- ⅓ cup basil leaves, sliced thin
- 3 tbsps balsamic glaze
- Coarse salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Activate broiler to maximum intensity and line baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cleanup.
- Bread Preparation: Slice bread loaf precisely lengthwise, creating two symmetrical halves with smooth surfaces.
- Flavor Infusion: Brush bread interior with extra virgin olive oil, then delicately rub garlic clove across surfaces to impart rich aromatic essence.
- Cheese Layer: Distribute mozzarella slices uniformly across bread, ensuring slight overlap for comprehensive coverage.
- Broiling Process: Position bread under broiler, rotating sheet as necessary to achieve golden, bubbling cheese transformation in 3-4 minutes.
- Tomato and Herb Arrangement: Remove from oven and immediately layer ripe tomato slices, then generously scatter freshly torn basil leaves across the surface.
- Seasoning and Finishing: Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor profile, then elegantly drizzle balsamic glaze in zigzag pattern.
- Serving: Slice into individual portions and serve immediately while warm, capturing the vibrant Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-moisture mozzarella for optimal melting and creamy texture, avoiding pre-shredded varieties that won’t provide the same rich, smooth result.
- Broiler Precision: Watch the bread closely during broiling to prevent burning; ovens vary, so timing can differ by 30-60 seconds, which can mean the difference between perfectly golden and charred.
- Tomato Technique: Use ripe, in-season tomatoes and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy bread and ensuring a crisp, flavorful base.
- Flavor Layering: Allow garlic to infuse olive oil for maximum aromatic depth, creating a foundational taste that elevates the entire dish beyond simple bread and cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 374
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg