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Margherita Focaccia Bread Recipe

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4 from 55 reviews

Margherita Focaccia Bread is a delicious homemade Italian bread featuring a soft, airy focaccia dough topped with a vibrant tomato-based sauce, fresh basil ribbons, gooey mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and sliced cherry tomatoes. This recipe involves preparing a flavorful yeast dough, a fresh tomato-garlic sauce, and baking to golden perfection, making it a perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2½ cups (312.5g) all-purpose flour

Sauce

  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 18-20 cherry tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Toppings

  • ¼ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, sliced into ribbons
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced and divided
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 12 cherry tomatoes, sliced

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine 1 teaspoon active dry yeast, 1 cup warm water, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Stir well and let it rest for 5 minutes until bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Prepare Oil Mixture: In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 2 teaspoons minced garlic. Pour half of this mixture into the yeast mixture and set the remaining oil aside for later use.
  3. Make Dough: Gradually add 2½ cups (312.5g) all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients and stir until the dough comes together. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a tea towel, and let it rest for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Prepare Sauce: While the dough is rising, prepare the sauce by adding 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 18-20 cherry tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to a food processor. Pulse until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Set aside.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Pour the remaining olive oil mixture into a 9×11-inch baking dish and use a pastry brush to coat the surface evenly.
  6. Shape Dough: Transfer the risen dough into the prepared baking pan and gently work it out to the edges. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the dough surface.
  7. First Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the dough for 12 minutes or until the top is golden brown and partially baked.
  8. Add Toppings: Remove the focaccia from the oven and evenly spread the prepared tomato sauce over the surface. Distribute the sliced fresh basil ribbons, sliced mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and sliced cherry tomatoes on top.
  9. Final Bake: Return the focaccia to the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts, becomes hot, and bubbly. The focaccia should be golden and cooked through.
  10. Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Ensure the water is warm (about 100-110°F) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Use fresh mozzarella for the best melting and texture in the toppings.
  • The dimples in the dough help create the classic focaccia texture and allow the oil and sauce to settle into the bread.
  • You can customize the toppings by adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or different herbs like oregano.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to ensure it doubles properly.
  • Use a food processor to quickly prepare a smooth and flavorful tomato sauce from fresh cherry tomatoes.
  • For a crispier crust, bake a few minutes longer if needed, but watch closely to prevent burning.
  • The focaccia is best served fresh but can be reheated in the oven to restore crispiness.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 24 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/margherita-focaccia-bread-recipe/