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Italian Garlic Butter Focaccia

Italian Garlic Butter Focaccia
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Italian Garlic Butter Focaccia is a soft, buttery, and aromatic bread bursting with authentic Italian flavors. Perfectly fluffy yet sturdy, it features a golden crust infused with garlic and fresh rosemary, making it ideal for dipping, sandwiches, or as a flavorful side. This homemade classic brings comforting warmth to any meal with simple ingredients and easy baking steps.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 105°F to 110°F)
  • ¼ cup olive oil, plus extra for greasing
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt (plus more for sprinkling)

Garlic Butter Topping

  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • Sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the yeast mixture: In a small bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour and sea salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture, olive oil, and melted butter while stirring until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, developing gluten for a chewy texture.
  4. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  5. Shape and prepare for baking: Punch down the dough to release air. Press it into a greased baking pan, creating dimples across the surface with your fingertips. Evenly spread the melted garlic butter mixture on top, then sprinkle with chopped rosemary and sea salt.
  6. Second rise and bake: Let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes to slightly puff up. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove and brush with additional garlic butter for extra richness.

Notes

  • Use quality olive oil to enhance the flavor and aroma of the crust.
  • Don’t skip the dimples to create pools of flavorful garlic butter.
  • Keep water temperature between 105°F and 110°F to properly activate yeast without killing it.
  • Ensure both rises are complete for a light, fluffy texture.
  • Fresh rosemary is preferable over dried for the best fragrance.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian garlic bread, focaccia recipe, garlic butter bread, homemade focaccia, Italian appetizer

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/italian-garlic-butter-focaccia/