Sweet Potato and Pesto Slow Cooker Bread

Name: Sweet Potato and Pesto Slow Cooker Bread
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Yield: 1 loaf (12 slices).
Ingredients: 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast; 2/3 cup warm half-and-half cream (110° to 115°); 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 cup canned sweet potato puree or canned pumpkin; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 3-1/2 to 4 cups bread flour; 1 container (7 ounces) refrigerated prepared pesto; 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

I like to bake fresh bread at home, both as a way to offer my family a delicious accompaniment to their dinners and just because I enjoy the process. Baking bread in the slow cooker allows you to achieve a tender, perfectly baked loaf without turning on the oven. It's especially helpful in the summer. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
2/3 cup warm half-and-half cream (110° to 115°)
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup canned sweet potato puree or canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3-1/2 to 4 cups bread flour
1 container (7 ounces) refrigerated prepared pesto
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Directions

Dissolve yeast in warm cream. In a large bowl, combine egg, sweet potato puree, sugar, salt, nutmeg, yeast mixture and 2 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 18x9-in. rectangle. Spread pesto to within 1 in. of edges; sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam and ends to seal.
Using a sharp knife, cut roll lengthwise in half; carefully turn each half cut side up. Loosely twist strips around each other, keeping cut surfaces facing up. Shape into a coil; place on parchment paper. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Cook, covered, on low until bread is lightly browned, 3 to 3-1/2. Remove from slow cooker and cool slightly before slicing.