Description
Silky Italian focaccia bread brings Mediterranean warmth to your kitchen with its golden, herb-infused crust and pillowy interior. Dimpled surfaces drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary promise a delightful sensory experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt (Maldon salt)
Leavening Agent:
- 1 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
Instructions
- Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Pour warm water into the flour mixture, stirring until a soft, tacky dough forms with a shaggy texture.
- Encase the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest and develop flavor in the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours, with a maximum of 24 hours.
- After chilling, gently transform the dough into a rounded shape using delicate hand movements.
- Coat the interior of an 8-inch cake pan generously with olive oil, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Transfer the dough ball to the center of the prepared pan, then seal tightly with plastic wrap.
- Let the dough proof at ambient temperature for approximately 2 hours, or until it expands to nearly fill the pan’s dimensions.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) during the final stages of dough rising.
- Remove the plastic wrap and liberally drizzle remaining olive oil across the dough’s surface.
- Create signature focaccia dimples by pressing fingertips firmly into the dough, reaching to the pan’s bottom and covering the entire surface.
- Sprinkle dried oregano, basil, and sea salt evenly over the textured dough.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the focaccia achieves a golden-brown color and crisp exterior.
Notes
- Slow fermentation in the refrigerator develops deeper, more complex flavors in the bread.
- Allowing the dough to rise at room temperature creates a light, airy texture with signature focaccia dimples.
- Use a cake pan for perfect shaping and even browning of the bread’s crispy exterior.
- Generous olive oil helps create a crisp bottom and rich, golden-brown crust.
- Fingertip dimpling is crucial for authentic focaccia texture and olive oil distribution.
- Fresh herbs and sea salt transform this simple bread into a gourmet experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg