Breakfast • Holiday • Recipes

Italian Focaccia Bread

In a large mixing bowl combine the warm water with the yeast and stir well.
Add the olive oil, salt and flour and use a spatula to mix until everything is combined and a sticky dough forms. Use your hand to knead for just a minute until the dough comes together into a ball.
Brush the top pf the dough with a little olive oil then cover the bowl with a lid or a kitchen towel. Place in a draft free area and allow to rise for 2 hours or until doubled in size.
Lightly oil a 12” cast iron skillet then dump the focaccia dough inside.
Use your hand to spread the dough inside the skillet all the way to the sides.
Using the tip of your fingers to press all over the top to create dimples.
Lightly drizzle with some olive oil then add your favorite toppings: olives, heirloom tomatoes and rosemary, pepperoncini, red onion, scallions, zucchini etc
Finish with a sprinkling of Fleur the Sel (sea salt flakes) and cover with a lid. Allow the focaccia to rise again at room temperature for 30 minutes or so.

Meanwhile preheat your oven to 400”F.
Bake the focaccia bread uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until the top and the sides are a light golden color.
Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and allow to cool off completely before slicing.

Is there an alternative to olive oil? – If you really can’t use olive oil (it’s really the best in this recipe), you can always use another oil. Vegetable oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and peanut oil, just to name a few options.
How do I make focaccia bread art? – Before baking your bread, you can use herbs and veggies to make designs on the top. Once you’re finished designing, you just bake it as normal. It’s fun and just as tasty.
How do I make focaccia bread fluffier? – Add 2 teaspoons of sugar to your yeast and warm water and give it a whisk to mix. Let it stand until foamy and then follow the rest of the steps as normal. This should make your bread fluffier than usual but it really isn’t necessary.

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