Description
A simple and versatile focaccia recipe made with basic ingredients, featuring a light and fluffy texture with a golden, crispy crust. This recipe includes step-by-step instructions for mixing, folding, proofing, and baking the dough, enhanced with olive oil and rosemary for classic flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 400 ml warm water (200 ml boiling water + 200 ml cold water)
- 7 g maple syrup
- 7 g instant yeast
- 7 g salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil (plus additional for drizzling)
- 500 g white bread flour
- 2 tsp dried rosemary (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: Add 400 ml warm water to a mixing bowl. Add 7 g maple syrup, 7 g instant yeast, 7 g salt, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 500 g bread flour. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook or a fork to mix in a clockwise motion for about 1 minute until dough forms. Cover with a tea towel and place in the oven with only the light on for 10 minutes to proof.
- First Fold: Remove the dough from the oven and wet your hands slightly. Stretch and fold the dough over itself about 8 times while rotating the bowl. Cover again with the tea towel and return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
- Second Fold: Repeat the folding process by removing the dough, folding it again 8 times, then placing it back into the oven for 10 more minutes.
- Third Fold: Perform the folding method a final time, folding 8 times, then allow the dough to rest and rise once more.
- Prepare Baking Tray: Drizzle olive oil into a 13×9 inch (or similar size) baking tray with 1–2 inch edges. Transfer the dough into the tray and spread it out evenly. Cover with a tea towel and let it rise in the oven for 2 hours.
- Preheat and Dimple Dough: Preheat oven to 180°C fan (400°F). Drizzle more olive oil over the dough and use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface to encourage air bubbles. Drizzle additional olive oil, then sprinkle with dried rosemary and flaky salt.
- Bake Focaccia: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the focaccia is golden, slightly crunchy on top, and fluffy inside.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your freshly baked focaccia!
Notes
- Ensure your yeast is fresh and not past its use-by date for best results.
- If your baking dish is not non-stick, line it with parchment paper before placing the dough to avoid sticking.
- Use olive oil generously both in the dough and on top to achieve a crispy crust and moist crumb.
- Feel free to customize toppings with herbs, olives, or other seasonings as desired.
- Proofing the dough in the oven with the light on creates an ideal warm environment for rising without heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: focaccia, easy focaccia, homemade bread, Italian bread, rosemary focaccia, olive oil focaccia
