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Savory Bacon-Wrapped Lemon Blueberry Loaf Recipe with Easy Basil Pesto

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A unique savory and sweet loaf combining crispy bacon, bright lemon zest, juicy blueberries, and a fresh basil pesto drizzle. Perfect for brunch, potlucks, or a comforting snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) buttermilk (or dairy-free milk with a splash of vinegar)
  • Zest of 2 medium lemons
  • 1 cup (150g) fresh blueberries, washed and patted dry
  • 10 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Lay 10 slices of bacon side by side on a cutting board, slightly overlapping. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  4. In another bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Stir in melted butter, buttermilk, and lemon zest.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until just combined.
  6. Carefully fold in blueberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed but not crushed.
  7. Line the loaf pan with bacon strips, overlapping slightly and letting ends hang over edges.
  8. Pour batter into the bacon-lined pan and smooth the top. Fold overhanging bacon ends over the batter.
  9. Place loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and bacon is crispy. Tent with foil if bacon crisps too fast.
  10. Cool loaf in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack, bacon side up, to crisp and cool completely.
  11. While loaf bakes, make basil pesto by combining basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan (if using) in a food processor. Pulse while drizzling in olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  12. Slice loaf and drizzle with basil pesto before serving.

Notes

If bacon crisps too quickly, tent with foil to prevent burning. Fold flour gently to avoid tough loaf. Toast pine nuts for better pesto flavor. Let loaf cool completely on rack to keep bacon crispy. Use frozen blueberries thawed and drained if fresh unavailable. Pesto can be made ahead and stored up to 5 days refrigerated or frozen in portions.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon wrapped loaf, lemon blueberry loaf, basil pesto, savory sweet bread, brunch recipe, potluck dish

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/savory-bacon-wrapped-lemon-blueberry-loaf-recipe-with-easy-basil-pesto/