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–+ servings
A stack of focaccia with rosemary and olive oil in a bread basket.

Focaccia with Rosemary and Olive Oil

Course: Appetizer, Bread
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Proof, chill, and rest time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 490kcal
Author: Kris Longwell
This Focaccia with Rosemary and Olive Oil is pure perfection. Give yourself most of the day to prepare this dish, but don't worry, most of the time is reserved for allowing the dough to proof, so you have plenty of time to do other activities! Truly restaurant-quality focaccia!
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Stand mixer with dough attachment
  • 18"x13" rimmed baking pan

Ingredients

  • 6¼ cups bread flour 1 lb 9 oz
  • 2½ cups water room temperature (70 - 74°F), 600 ml
  • 3 teaspoon sugar divided
  • ½ cup warm water 95 - 103°F, 120 ml
  • 2¼ teaspoon active dry yeast 1 package, ¼ oz
  • 1 tbsp + 1½ tsp Kosher salt
  • ½ cup olive oil plus more, as needed
  • 2 tablespoon rosemary fresh, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt coarse, plus more for garnishing

Instructions

  • Attach the dough attachment to your stand mixer. In the bowl, beat together (on LOW) the flour, room-temperature water, and 1½ teaspoon sugar until a rough, shaggy dough forms, about 3 minutes. Remove the dough attachment, set it aside (you'll be using it again, soon), and cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let stand while you prepare the yeast mixture.
  • In a small bowl, add the warm water. Whisk in the yeast and the remaining 1½ teaspoon of sugar. Let stand until foamy, about 8 - 10 minutes.
  • Take the towel from the mixer. Re-attach the dough attachment. With the mixer on LOW, add the yeast mixture a little at a time until it's all been added. Stop the mixer, remove the attachment (keep it handy, though), and massage the liquid from the yeast mixture into the dough. Don't worry if it doesn't get 100% incorporated. The dough will be very wet.
  • Re-attach the dough attachment and sprinkle in the Kosher salt (1 tablespoon plus 1½ tsp). Turn the mixer on MEDIUM speed and beat until the dough is elastic, sticky, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 5 minutes.
  • Add 3 tablespoon of olive oil to a large bowl. Swish the oil around to coat the sides. Lightly oil your hands, and scrape the dough from the mixer bowl into the oiled bowl. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, non-drafty area until doubled in size, about 2½ hours.
  • Add another couple of tablespoons of olive oil to an 18"x13" rimmed baking pan.
  • Take the plastic off of the dough and gently use your hands to deflate the dough. Scrape the dough onto the oiled pan. Use your fingers to stretch the dough toward the edges of the pan. Most likely, the dough will want to pull back to the center. If so, cover with a couple of pieces of plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the plastic and try again. If the dough doesn't completely reach the corners, this is fine. Cover with plastic wrap and place the pan in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or overnight.
  • Remove the pan from the refrigerator and place it back in the warm, non-drafty area for 1 hour.
  • Preheat your oven to 450°F.
  • Remove the plastic. Dip your fingers in a little bowl of olive oil, and then press your fingertips firmly into the dough to make deep dimples all over the dough.
  • Sprinkle on the chopped rosemary and sea salt.
  • Place in the oven. After 10 minutes, drizzle 2 more tablespoons of olive oil all over the surface, and then rotate the pan 180°. Bake for another 10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
  • Place the pan on a baking rack and let cool for at least 10 minutes. Brush the surface of the focaccia with a little more olive oil. Cut into slices and serve warm or at room temperature.

Video

Notes

NOTE: Watch the video near the top of the recipe for visual guidance.
If you don't have access to bread flour, then substitute it with all-purpose flour.  You won't get quite as fluffy and chewy an interior, but the bread will still be delicious. 
Remember, you can prepare the dough all the way up to placing it in the fridge.  It can chill, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 12 hours, no problem.  This can be helpful from a timing perspective when making the bread.
The dough is a very sticky dough!  It may not "feel" right because it's so sticky.  Don't worry!  That's how it is supposed to be.  Keep a small bowl filled with olive oil handy.  Oiling your fingers as you work will keep the dough from sticking to your hands too much. 
Be careful when storing the cooked focaccia.  If you place it in a container with a tight-fitting lid, the crispy edges will lose their crispiness.  We usually loosely wrap the bread in foil and still allow some air to reach the bread.   
The bread is wonderful served warm or at room temperature. 

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1596mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg