Garlic Bread Focaccia

Prepared like the traditional version, this Garlic Bread Focaccia is light and airy on the inside with a crunchy exterior. Loaded with fresh garlic, parmesan and cheddar cheese, this bread is perfectly paired with pasta, soup, and pizza too, yet good enough to eat on its own as a delicious snack!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, (plus more for drizzling)
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons flaked sea salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 4 cloves garlic, (minced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, (finely chopped)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, measure the ingredients into the bowl in this order: yeast, sugar, water, olive oil, and flour. Turn on the mixer to medium speed and allow the dough to come together and knead for 5 minutes.
2. 2Add the salt and knead for 5 more minutes.
3. 3Form the dough into a ball and transfer to a large glass bowl. Drizzle the top of the dough ball with a teaspoon or two of olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm spot to proof for 90 minutes.
4. 4Remove the plastic wrap and punch the dough down with your fist. This will release the air and deflate the dough.
5. 5Transfer the dough to a well-greased 9x13 baking dish. Once again, cover with plastic wrap and proof the dough for 30 more minutes.
6. 6While the dough is proofing, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
7. 7Once the dough has proofed, remove the plastic wrap and drizzle the top of the dough with two tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle over the sea salt.
8. 8Using your fingertips, gently poke deep dimples randomly over the surface of the dough.
9. 9Bake for 15 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and crispy.
10. 10While the bread bakes, melt the butter in a skillet with the garlic over medium heat until the garlic is fragrant and lightly browned. Remove the butter and garlic from the heat and set aside.
11. 11Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush the top of the bread with the butter and garlic mixture.
12. 12Sprinkle over the cheddar cheese, followed by the parmesan, and the chopped parsley.
13. 13Return the bread to the oven for 3 minutes.
14. 14Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to rest in the baking dish for 5 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool.
15. 15Once cooled to the touch, slice and serve.