Bake the Last of Summer Into Every Slice

Garden tomatoes, fresh basil, and bread worth sharing

Author

Cathy Warner
September 07, 2025

As summer begins to wind down, I find myself holding onto the little things that make the season so special: the smell of herbs on warm air, the bright taste of tomatoes fresh from the garden, the comfort of baking something to share. Baking with seasonal ingredients reminds me that bread is more than food; it’s a way to celebrate the moment we’re in.

The days may be getting shorter, but summer isn’t quite ready to let go, especially when the garden (or market) is overflowing with tomatoes. I love growing tomatoes, though I’ll admit I prefer cooking with them rather than eating them raw. That’s why baking bread with tomatoes is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the harvest. Each loaf captures the taste of summer in its own delicious way.

🌟Highlights:

  • Seasonal Spotlight: Tomatoes

  • Feature Recipe 1: Garden Tomato Bread

  • Feature Recipe 2: Tomato Basil Bread

  • Leftover Magic: New Ways to Enjoy Tomato Bread

  • Personal Reflection

Seasonal Spotlight: Tomatoes

Tomatoes aren’t just for sauces and salads. They add moisture, natural sweetness, and a subtle tang when baked into bread. Using fresh tomatoes straight from the garden (or market) gives each loaf a burst of late-summer flavor that can’t be beat.

Feature Recipe 1: Garden Tomato Bread

This hearty bread is like eating a slice of the garden itself. It’s packed with fresh tomatoes, flavored with sage and thyme, and studded with pumpkin and sunflower seeds for a rustic crunch. Pair it with a bowl of tomato soup for the ultimate garden-to-table meal.

Feature Recipe 2: Tomato Basil Bread

If you love the classic pairing of tomatoes and basil, this loaf is for you. Fragrant, light, and bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect bread to savor the season’s last tomatoes. Enjoy it fresh with olive oil or alongside your favorite late-summer salad.

Serving Suggestions

  • Garden Tomato Bread: Slice thick and pair with a steaming bowl of tomato soup for a cozy, garden-to-table meal.

  • Tomato Basil Bread: Toast lightly, drizzle with olive oil, and top with fresh basil for a simple bruschetta.

  • Either Loaf: Makes a flavorful base for sandwiches — try mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic for a caprese twist.

Leftover Magic: New Ways to Enjoy Tomato Bread

If you find yourself with a few extra slices of tomato bread, don’t let them go to waste! They make the perfect base for other garden-fresh dishes:

  • Panzanella Bread Salad: Cube the bread, toss with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.

  • Bruschetta: Toast slices, rub with garlic, and top with chopped tomatoes, basil, and olive oil.

  • Savory Croutons: Cut into cubes, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with herbs, and bake until crisp — delicious on soups or salads.

Leftover bread becomes a whole new meal with just a few simple twists.

Let’s Bake Together!

Tried one of these tomato breads? I’d love to see your loaf! Tag @bread_experience on Instagram.

Rustic and seedy or fragrant and herb-filled, each loaf is a delicious way to savor the last of summer’s harvest.

Bake one this week and taste summer while it lasts. And don’t forget to share this email with a baking friend who could use a new project!

Every loaf tells a story: of gardens tended, harvests gathered, and meals shared with friends and family. When I bake with tomatoes at their peak, it feels like capturing summer in each slice. A gentle reminder that even as seasons change, we can carry those flavors and the joy of creating with us into the next chapter.

Until next time – happy baking!
Cathy, Bread Experience

Crafted for thoughtful bakers who believe the process is just as beautiful as the bread.