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Homemade Focaccia Bread

Homemade Focaccia Bread
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Homemade focaccia bread is a delicious Italian classic featuring a crispy crust and a soft, airy interior. Made with simple pantry staples like flour, yeast, olive oil, and herbs, this recipe is easy to follow and perfect for snacks, sandwiches, or meal sides. Customizable with various toppings and flavors, it fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and offers a versatile bread that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing and drizzling)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey (optional)

Toppings (Optional)

  • Fresh rosemary or other herbs (thyme, oregano, basil)
  • Minced garlic (for herb and garlic variation)
  • Halved cherry tomatoes and olives (for tomato & olive variation)
  • Shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese (for cheese lover’s variation)
  • Honey and sliced figs or berries (for sweet focaccia)

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: Mix warm water with sugar or honey (if using) and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to be used.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour and sea salt. Gradually pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil while stirring until a sticky dough forms, ensuring the olive oil flavor is incorporated.
  3. Knead and Rise: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  4. Shape the Dough: Drizzle olive oil onto a baking sheet or pan. Transfer the risen dough and gently stretch it out evenly to fill the pan. Use your fingertips to create characteristic dimples all over the surface to hold oil and toppings.
  5. Add Toppings and Second Rise: Drizzle additional olive oil over the dough, sprinkle sea salt, and add your choice of herbs or toppings. Allow the dough to rest for another 20-30 minutes to rise slightly before baking.
  6. Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes until it turns golden brown and crisp. Once baked, drizzle extra olive oil if desired and let it cool slightly before slicing.

Notes

  • Measure ingredients accurately using a kitchen scale for consistent dough texture.
  • Allow the dough enough time to rise fully to develop flavor and airy texture.
  • Use plenty of olive oil to achieve a moist interior and golden, crispy crust.
  • Press dimples firmly into the dough to trap oil and chosen toppings effectively.
  • Serve focaccia warm for the best flavor and texture experience.

Nutrition

Keywords: focaccia, Italian bread, homemade bread, soft bread, crispy crust, easy baking, flatbread, sandwich bread

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/homemade-focaccia-bread/