Focaccia Bread (Includes Basic Instructions)

The basic start to a world of imagination!

Focaccia Bread
What You Need:
(6 Basic Focaccia Ingredients)
3 1/4 cups Flour (Can use Gluten Free)
1 1/4 cups Warm Water*

2 packets of Dry Fast-Acting Yeast
1 tbsp Sugar
2 tsp Salt

1 tbsp Olive Oil
5 tbsp Olive Oil


(Optional and Changeable Herbs)
1/2 tsp Rosemary
1/2 tsp Thyme
1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
any spices/ herbs you dream of


(You can also add cheeses and vegetables if you desire)
1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
you can also do sweet focaccia with dried fruits, nuts, and cheeses like brie/ camembert


This is the basic start to all the focaccia breads you can dream of.  To start you need to heat the water to about 100 degrees, but not boiling.  This sounds crazy but I let me tap water run to get super hot, and just use that for the "warm water".  Add the sugar and yeast to this, cover, and set aside for the yeast to hydrate and start feeding on the sugar (10 minutes).  Meanwhile sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl.  At this point the bread is very simple, and to keep it simple, I did not add anything to the recipe, but will walk you through how you can change the flavors by adding herbs, spices, veggies, cheeses, etc.  You can alter the herbs to your liking, the basic recipe cannot be changed but additions such as herbs, toppers, etc. can always be what you dream of!  So get loose and explore the creative side of focaccia!


After the 10 minutes, the yeast will almost resemble a pint of beer -- foamy, bubbly, and murky in color. This is perfect!  If you wanted to add herbs, spices, or chopped fruits/ vegetables to be baked into the bread, add them to the dry flour at this point.  Slowly add the yeast water  and 1 tbsp olive oil to the flour mixture.  You will knead this until combines, but do not over knead.  At this point the bread will need to rise.   I use an 8X8 pan or a round 9 in Pie Pan to bake the bread.  To do so, add the 5 tbsp oil to the pan, then place the dough into it, covering with a damp towel.  This will need a warm place to rise.  I've both let bread rise on my porch in the sun or even let the over heat to about 100 degree (turn to 200 and let pre-heat 5 minutes so it is not quite pre-heated.  Shut the oven off, open the door, and let it feel warm to touch -- place the covered bread in the oven and do not open for 2 hours) and let the dough rise in there (Turning the oven off of course so you don't start to bake the dough!).


After 1 - 2 hours, pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit.  You can decorate the bread at this point (olives, tomato slices, artichokes, feta, etc) if desired-- I always sprinkle a pinch of salt on my focaccia bread, just to give it a flavor boost (sugar is a sweet bread).  If not, while the oven preheats, let the bread continue to rise.  Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and pan (prevents soaking up extra oil) and let cool!  This bread is so amazing!  I hope you make it unique to your favorite spices and toppers!


Thanks for following and Enjoy!


XOXO,


Aimee