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focaccia recipe

Easy Rustic Italian Focaccia Bread

This surprisingly simple homemade focaccia recipe delivers a crispy exterior and pillowy interior with minimal ingredients and effort.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3¼ cups unbleached flour
  • 2 tablespoons fast rising yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus extra for brushing
  • 1¼ cups warm water approximately
  • to taste sea salt for topping

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • baking pan (10x15)
  • Plastic wrap
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine unbleached flour, fast rising yeast, and salt.
  2. Stir in extra virgin olive oil.
  3. Gradually add warm water while stirring until a cohesive dough forms.
  4. Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until soft and elastic.
  5. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, 45 to 75 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F and brush a 10x15 baking pan with olive oil.
  7. Punch down the dough and knead briefly on a floured surface for 5 minutes.
  8. Shape the dough into a rectangle and transfer to the prepared pan, stretching to fill evenly.
  9. Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes until nearly doubled.
  10. Use your fingertips to create dimples about 2 inches apart across the surface.
  11. Brush the dough generously with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
  12. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown.
  13. Let cool briefly, then cut into squares and serve warm.

Notes

For optimal flavor, use high-quality extra virgin olive oil and flaky sea salt.