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Baking recipe · from the recipe book

Basil Pesto Swirl Cheddar Cornmeal Loaf

A tender, golden cornmeal loaf with sharp cheddar and a bright ribbon of fresh basil-garlic pesto swirled through every slice, with a toasty pumpkin-seed crust.

Basil Pesto Swirl Cheddar Cornmeal Loaf

Ingredients

  • 1⅔ cups leaves40 gFresh basilleaves only
  • 2 cloves6 gGarlic
  • ⅓ cup70 gOlive oildivided
  • 3 tbsp grated20 gGrated Parmesan
  • 1¾ cups220 gAll-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup90 gYellow cornmeal, whole-grain
  • 2⅛ tsp10 gBaking powder
  • ½ tsp2 gBaking soda
  • ½ tsp3 gSalt
  • ½ tsp1 gBlack pepper
  • 1¼ cups shredded140 gCheddar cheeseshredded, divided
  • 2 large100 gEggsat room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml)260 gPlain kefir, low-fat
  • 2½ tbsp20 gPumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Steps

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment.
  2. Make the pesto: in a small food processor or with a knife, blend the basil, garlic, parmesan and one third of the olive oil to a coarse paste. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt and black pepper.
  4. Toss in three quarters of the cheddar so it is coated with the flour mixture.
  5. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, kefir and the remaining two thirds of the olive oil.
  6. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and fold just until no dry flour remains; the batter will be thick.
  7. Spread half the batter in the pan, dot with half the pesto and swirl it in with a knife. Add the remaining batter, dot with the remaining pesto and swirl again gently.
  8. Scatter the remaining quarter of the cheddar and the pumpkin seeds over the top.
  9. Bake 55 to 60 minutes, until deep golden and a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
  10. Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then lift out and cool on a rack at least 40 minutes before cutting into 12 slices.

Food safety: Don't taste raw dough or batter: raw flour and raw eggs can carry germs.

Contains: Milk, Egg, Gluten.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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