Focaccia Bread

Focaccia Bread

Prep Time1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time2 hours
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
  • 1/4 teaspoon honey
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • In a cold medium skillet, combine olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and the black pepper. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until aromatic, but before the garlic browns. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir a few times then let sit for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of the flour and a 1/4 cup of the infused garlic-olive oil mixture. Stir 3 to 4 times until the flour has moistened. Let sit for another 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour and the salt. Once the dough comes together, transfer to a floured board and knead the dough 10 to 15 times until smooth. Transfer to a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel, place in a warm area and let rise for 1 hour.
  • After 1 hour, heat oven to 450 degrees F. Use two tablespoons of the remaining garlic-olive oil mixture to oil a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet.
  • Transfer the dough to the baking sheet then press it down into the pan. Use your fingers to dimple the dough then drizzle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the garlic-olive oil mixture. Let the dough rise for 20 minutes until it puffs slightly. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool baked focaccia bread on a wire rack.

Notes

I updated this recipe in Dec of 2017.