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Focaccia squares on a wooden board with cherry tomatoes, rosemary, and basil on the side
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Focaccia Bread

This focaccia bread is perfectly soft and chewy on the inside and super crispy on the outside. It's infused with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt, rosemary, cherry tomatoes, and olives. It feels like taking a trip to Italy! 
Course Side
Cuisine Italian
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 282kcal
Author Sina

Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer
  • 1 bowl
  • 1 clean kitchen towel
  • 1 baking sheet
  • parchment paper

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.6 oz fresh active yeast (one package) You could replace it with 1 teaspoon of dried yeast. 
  • 1 pinch brown sugar
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the Topping:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 12 cherry tomatoes, cut into halves
  • 10 olives, green and black
  • fresh rosemary
  • sea salt, to taste

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients for the dough into a stand mixer. Alternatively, you could also use your hands if you've got a bit more time. 
  • Process or knead until you've got a soft and well incorporated dough that doesn't stick to your hands.
  • Form the dough to a small ball and place it in a bowl. 
  • Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature (preferably at a warm place) for about 45 minutes. 
  • It should have about doubled in size after this time.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough. You could also use a baking dish (line it with parchment paper as well). 
  • Use your finger to poke dents all over the surface of the dough.
  • Let it rise for another 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400 °F. 
  • Drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil on top. Then add the cherry tomatoes, the olives, and the fresh rosemary. Gently press them into the dough. Sprinkle with sea salt. 
  • Bake for 20 minutes at 400 °F until golden. 
  • Cut into squares and serve warm. Drizzle extra olive oil on top, if you like.

Notes

  • This recipe works best if you use a stand mixer to make the dough (for example a kitchen aid or similar kitchen tool). I used my Thermomix, which is great for baking.
  • If you don't own a stand mixer, you could also knead the dough with your hands. 
  • I like to use fresh yeast as it activates more quickly than dried yeast, but the recipe also works well with dried yeast. So don't worry if you've only got dried yeast at home.