Focaccia for Beginners ~ Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe
This easy focaccia recipe is ideal for bread baking beginners. Focaccia is an Italian flatbread. You can customize it to your tastes and to what you have on hand. The dough is easy to make and doesn't require complicated steps.
1 ⅓cupswarm water110 degrees Fahrenheit to 112 degrees Fahrenheit
2teaspoonsrawunfiltered honey or granulated sugar
1package Red Star Active Dry Yeast.25 ounce
3 ½cupsflourbread flour or all-purpose
¼cupmelted butter or extra virgin olive oil
2teaspoonsflaky sea saltcan substitute equivalent kosher salt
2tablespoonsherbs or herb mixture such as garlicrosemary, chopped onion, Italian herb blend, thyme, oregano, etc.
Optional
Olives, tomatoes, chopped peppers, onions, etc.You can add meat, cheese, fruits and vegetables
Instructions
In a large bowl, add the water warmed to 110 - 112 degrees F. Whisk in the honey or sugar. Add the yeast over the top of the water and gently mix to combine. Let it sit in a warm place until the yeast gets foamy, about 5 - 7 minutes.
Flour a work surface.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the oil, then gradually stir the flour and salt mixture into the yeast.
Mix until the dough comes together and forms a shaggy ball. Turn the dough onto a floured surface.
Knead by hand for 6 - 8 minutes. The dough is ready when it is smooth and springs back when you make a slight indention. If the dough is overly sticky, add a bit of flour. Shape the dough into a ball.
Use olive oil to grease the mixing bowl, including the bottom, and sides.
Place focaccia dough into the greased bowl, and turn the dough over in the bowl so all sides are coated with oil.
Cover and place the dough in a warm place for about 50 - 60 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a floured surface.
Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough, shaping it in a rectangle, square or circle. Roll it out until it is about ¼ to ½ inches thick.
Cover focaccia dough with a damp towel and let it rise for about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the rolled out dough onto the parchment covered sheet.
Using your finger or the end of a wooden spoon, poke deep holes into the dough. Make sure the holes are very deep, all the way through is ideal. You can do a pattern or make random holes.
Sprinkle the surface with any add-ins and the sea salt. If using vegetables, press them gently into the top of the dough.
Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes. The dough should be a light golden color and cooked all the way through. If using vegetables, check the bread for doneness.
Remove from the oven. If topping with meats or vegetables, you may wish to use a paper towel to collect moisture around the toppings. Drizzle with some olive oil before serving.
Notes
Use a meat thermometer or food thermometer to check the temperature of the water before preparing the yeast.