Chef's Essential Tips

Dough Consistency: Ensure your dough is elastic but not too sticky. If it sticks to your fingers, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
Flavor Boost: For extra flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or oregano to the dough before rising or mixing them into the topping.
Storage: Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to restore its crispiness.
Experiment: Try adding toppings like sun-dried tomatoes or olives for a Mediterranean twist.
Olive Oil: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and health benefits.
Cooking Surface: Use a dark baking sheet for a crispier bottom crust.

Essential Ingredients Selection

All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of your focaccia, providing the structure and chewy texture that makes it so satisfying. Consider bread flour for more chewiness.
Salt: Essential for flavor enhancement and dough strength, salt controls yeast activity, helping your bread to rise properly without becoming too salty.
Sugar: This ingredient not only sweetens the dough slightly but also activates the yeast, promoting fermentation and aiding in browning.
Active Dry Yeast: The leavening agent that makes your bread rise, ensuring it's light and fluffy. If you've got instant yeast, feel free to use that as well without proofing.
Warm Water: The temperature is crucial for yeast activation. Too hot can kill the yeast, too cold won’t activate it at all. Aim for around 110°F (43°C).
Olive Oil: Adds moisture to the bread, resulting in a tender crumb, and contributes to a rich flavor. It’s also used for drizzling on top to enhance flavor.
Garlic: Infusing the focaccia with minced garlic imparts a deep, savory note that complements the cheese beautifully, creating a mouthwatering aroma.
Parmesan Cheese: This brings a savory, nutty flavor and melts into a delightful crust on top, contributing to the dish's overall richness.
Fresh Rosemary: Adds an earthy, aromatic touch to the focaccia, enhancing its Italian flair. Dried rosemary can be used, but fresh is always preferred.
Coarse Sea Salt: Used for sprinkling on top, it creates a delightful contrast of flavors and adds that crispy finish to the crust.

Creating Your Masterpiece

Storing Leftovers:

If there are leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. To maintain freshness, consider reheating individual slices in the oven to restore their delightful crust.

Cooling and Serving:

Once baked, allow the focaccia to cool slightly before slicing. This helps maintain its structure, making it easy to serve. Enjoy warm for the best texture and flavor.

Baking Guidelines:

Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) until the edges are golden and the cheese is bubbling. Keep an eye on the focaccia in the last few minutes; every oven varies, and you want to avoid overbaking.

Second Rise:

Let the topped dough rest for another 20 minutes. This allows the dough to puff up slightly again before baking, leading to a lighter, airier loaf.

Topping Application:

Mix the garlic, Parmesan, rosemary, and seasonings in a bowl. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the prepared dough, ensuring an even distribution for maximum flavor. This step is essential for developing that aromatic crust.

Creating Dimples:

Use your fingers to press into the dough, creating dimples that will hold the toppings. This technique not only enhances the appearance but also allows the infused olive oil and toppings to penetrate the dough, enriching every bite.

Shaping the Dough:

After the first rise, gently punch down the dough to release the built-up gases. Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet and stretch it out to fit. This stretching gives the focaccia its characteristic flat shape and allows it to rise unevenly, creating those desirable dimples.

First Rise:

Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm environment for about an hour. This process allows the yeast to ferment, creating air pockets that will expand in the oven.

Kneading Techniques:

Knead the dough by pushing it with the heels of your hands and folding it over itself. This develops gluten, leading to a chewy and airy texture in the finished focaccia. Ensure to knead for at least 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.

Mixing the Dough:

Begin by combining warm water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. This activates the yeast, allowing it to feed on the sugar and grow. The mixture should become frothy within minutes, indicating that your yeast is ready for baking.

The Complete Guide to Mastering Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread

Storing Leftovers:

If there are leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. To maintain freshness, consider reheating individual slices in the oven to restore their delightful crust.

Cooling and Serving:

Once baked, allow the focaccia to cool slightly before slicing. This helps maintain its structure, making it easy to serve. Enjoy warm for the best texture and flavor.

Baking Guidelines:

Second Rise:

Let the topped dough rest for another 20 minutes. This allows the dough to puff up slightly again before baking, leading to a lighter, airier loaf.

Topping Application:

Creating Dimples:

Shaping the Dough:

First Rise:

Kneading Techniques:

Mixing the Dough:

Pro Chef Secrets for Perfect Focaccia

For a milder garlic flavor, roast the garlic before adding it to the dough.

Freshly grated Parmesan will melt and taste better than pre-packaged varieties.

Make the dimples deep enough to hold toppings, but not so deep that they break through the dough.

Pair your focaccia with a light salad or as a side with pasta dishes for a complete meal.

Heavenly Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread with Aromatic Herbs

Name: Heavenly Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread with Aromatic Herbs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: For the Dough:; 4 cups all-purpose flour, preferably high-gluten for better structure; 2 teaspoons salt, enhances flavor and strengthens dough; 1 teaspoon sugar, feeds the yeast for a better rise; 1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast, essential for leavening the bread; 1¾ cups warm water, activates the yeast and hydrates the flour; ¼ cup olive oil, adds moisture and richness to the dough; For the Topping:; 4 cloves garlic, minced, brings aromatic flavor and aroma; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for a nutty, savory kick; 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped, adds an earthy, fragrant note; 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, for a crunchy topping and enhanced flavor; ¼ teaspoon black pepper, to provide a subtle heat; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), for a touch of spiciness

Indulge in the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread, a culinary masterpiece that will elevate any meal. This savory delight is characterized by its soft, pillowy texture and crispy golden crust, infused with the rich flavors of garlic, nutty Parmesan cheese, and aromatic Italian herbs. Perfect for serving alongside a hearty soup, as an appetizer at your next gathering, or as an indulgent treat slathered with butter, this focaccia invites you to savor every bite. The gentle sweetness of the dough balances beautifully with the savory and tangy notes of garlic and cheese. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner, a festive holiday feast, or a casual weekend brunch, this focaccia bread will be the star of your table, evoking comfort and joy with each slice. Experience the warmth of home-cooked goodness and create cherished memories as you share this delicious bread with your loved ones. Your taste buds deserve this delightful experience!

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

25 Minutes

Total Time

45 Minutes

Chef

JUE

Ingredients

For the Dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour, preferably high-gluten for better structure

2 teaspoons salt, enhances flavor and strengthens dough

1 teaspoon sugar, feeds the yeast for a better rise

1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast, essential for leavening the bread

1¾ cups warm water, activates the yeast and hydrates the flour

¼ cup olive oil, adds moisture and richness to the dough

For the Topping:

4 cloves garlic, minced, brings aromatic flavor and aroma

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for a nutty, savory kick

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped, adds an earthy, fragrant note

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, for a crunchy topping and enhanced flavor

¼ teaspoon black pepper, to provide a subtle heat

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), for a touch of spiciness

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.

Step 2: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix until a rough dough forms.

Step 3: Incorporate olive oil into the dough, kneading for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Add more flour if the dough is sticky.

Step 4: Grease a large bowl and place the dough inside, covering it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet by greasing it lightly with olive oil.

Step 6: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet and stretch it gently into a rectangle.

Step 7: Using your fingers, create dimples all over the surface of the dough, allowing for a rustic texture.

Step 8: In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, Parmesan, rosemary, coarse sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the dough.

Step 9: Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the top, ensuring the garlic and cheese are well coated.

Step 10: Allow the dough to rest for about 20 minutes while the oven finishes preheating.

Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Step 12: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm to enjoy its best flavor and texture.