This homemade focaccia features a soft, airy crumb and a deeply golden crust. The dough gets a boost of flavor from garlic oil before rising to a pillowy texture. Fresh rosemary, thyme, and savory olives top the bread right before baking. It makes an excellent side for dinner or a sturdy base for sandwiches.
Servings
4
Course
Category Bread
Ingredients
2 tsp (8 g) instant yeast
2 tsp (10 g) granulated sugar
2 tsp (10 ml) olive oil + more for greasing
2⅓ cups (290 g) all-purpose flour
¾ tsp coarse sea salt
2 tsp (10 ml) Wholesome Homemade Garlic Oil
¼ cup (45 g) pitted olives, halved
3 tbsp (5 g) fresh rosemary leaves
3 tbsp (7 g) fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
1Combine the yeast, sugar, and 3/4 cup of warm water in a small bowl. Whisk the mixture well and let it sit for 7 minutes.
2Watch for the yeast mixture to turn murky and develop a few bubbles on the surface. It will not foam heavily, but it is still active.
3Coat the inside of a large bowl with a little olive oil and set it aside.
4Place the flour, sea salt, and garlic oil into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, or use a regular large bowl. Pour the yeast mixture over the dry ingredients.
5Run the mixer on low speed for 2 minutes, or stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the ingredients blend together.
6Increase the mixer speed to medium-high once the dough begins to form.
7Continue mixing for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and shapes into a smooth ball.
8For hand mixing, transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it forms a cohesive ball.
9Transfer the dough ball to your prepared oiled bowl. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 1/2 hours.
10Pour 2 teaspoons of olive oil into a medium ovenproof skillet or a rectangular baking pan. Coat the bottom and sides completely.
11Move the risen dough into the oiled skillet. Gently stretch it with your fingertips until it reaches the edges of the pan.
12Drizzle a little more olive oil over the surface of the dough. Cover the pan with a clean tea towel and let it rise in a warm area for 40 more minutes.
13Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
14Scatter the halved olives, fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme evenly across the top of the fully risen dough.
15Press your fingertips deep into the dough to create dimples, allowing the surface oil to pool in the indentations. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the crust turns golden brown.