Decorated Focaccia Bread

4.8
(5)
2 Reviews
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This picture-perfect focaccia is both a beautiful bread art piece and also happens to be incredibly delicious. Made with traditional yeasted dough, it uses a bit of milk (instead of sugar) to help the yeast rise and give additional flavor. It looks like a complicated project, but actually comes together super fast. Don't be scared by the prep time, most of the work happens while the dough is rising!

Submitted by ChefJackie
Updated on October 7, 2022
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
1 11x17-inch focaccia
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

Dough:

  • 4 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour, divided

  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast

  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F (43 degrees C))

  • 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F (43 degrees C))

  • ¼ cup olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed

  • 5 cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 4 spears pickled asparagus, drained

  • 3 jarred roasted red peppers, drained and sliced

  • 3 mini bell peppers, sliced

  • 3 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

  • 2 sprigs fresh dill

  • 1 sprig fresh sage

  • 1 sprig fresh parsley

  • 1 sprig fresh basil

  • 1 tablespoon pine nuts

  • 1 tablespoon pepitas

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as desired

  • 1 pinch flaked sea salt to taste

Directions

  1. Combine 2 cups flour, yeast, dried Italian herbs, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add warm water, warm milk, and 1/4 cup oil; beat until well combined, about 2 minutes. Mix in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, switching to a wooden spoon when needed, until a soft and sticky dough is formed.

  2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, drizzle the sides with 1 tablespoon oil, and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

  3. Oil an 11x17-inch baking sheet.

  4. Turn the dough out onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently spread and flatten dough to fit the entire sheet. Press your fingers into the dough to make light dimples over the entire surface. Let rest, uncovered, at room temperature for 15 minutes.

  5. Place an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

  6. Decorate dough by gently pressing down cherry tomatoes, asparagus, red peppers, bell peppers, olives, dill, sage, parsley, basil, pine nuts, and pepitas. Brush a thin layer of olive oil over the top and sprinkle with salt.

  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue to bake until golden and bread springs back when gently pressed, about 20 more minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully slip out onto a cooling rack. Cool and serve at room temperature.

    pumpkin patch focaccia
    ChefJackie

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

273 Calories
9g Fat
41g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 273
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 355mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 7g 14%
Vitamin C 43mg 48%
Calcium 47mg 4%
Iron 4mg 19%
Potassium 198mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.