This Focaccia Bread is easier than you think!  Made with just a few ingredients and brushed with olive oil and Italian herbs.  Its the perfect compliment to any meal.

 

Ingredients

1 ½ cups warm water

1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)

1 teaspoon sugar

¼ cup olive oil (divided)

1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)

¾ teaspoons garlic powder (divided)

½ teaspoon salt

2 ½ - 3 ½ cups all Purpose Flour (I prefer Italian 00 flour as is low gluten)

½ - 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt if you have it

 

Instructions

 

1. In the bowl of stand mixer, whisk together water, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes or until foamy.
2. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of oil, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of salt.
3. Place the bowl in the stand mixer with the dough hook on. Gradually add flour one cup at a time to start and knead on low speed until all the flour is incorporated.  Add just enough flour that you have a soft but not too sticky dough (I used 3.5 cups flour).
4. Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a lint free kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm draft free place to rise until doubled.  This should take about one hour.
5. Uncover dough and punch down. Press dough into a large 9x13 rectangle baking pan or on a large greased rimmed baking sheet of 10”x15”.  I do the 9x13 baking pan for slightly thicker bread.  Cover again and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled again
6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
7. Uncover dough and use your fingers to create dimples in the dough. Push your fingers all the way to the bottom of the dough.
8. Whisk together remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Brush over dough and sprinkle with flaked or coarse salt depending on your taste level.
9. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Exact bake time is dependent on how thick your dough is in your chosen pan.