This herb focaccia bread is a delightful Italian flatbread that is easy to make using a bread machine. With its soft texture and aromatic herbs, it makes a perfect side for meals or a base for sandwiches.
The recipe is simple and requires minimal hands-on time, allowing you to enjoy freshly baked bread with just a few ingredients.
Overview of Focaccia Bread
Focaccia bread is a traditional Italian flatbread known for its soft, airy texture and delightful flavor.
This bread is often seasoned with herbs and topped with coarse sea salt, making it a versatile addition to any meal.
Whether served as a side dish, used for sandwiches, or enjoyed on its own, focaccia is a favorite among bread lovers.
Ingredients That Make It Special
The simplicity of focaccia lies in its ingredients.
Typically, it requires just flour, water, yeast, and olive oil, along with a few optional herbs for added flavor.
The use of high-quality olive oil not only enhances the taste but also contributes to the bread’s golden-brown crust.
Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can be sprinkled on top, infusing the bread with aromatic notes that elevate the overall experience.
Coarse sea salt adds a delightful crunch and enhances the flavors, making each bite a treat.
The Bread Machine Advantage
Using a bread machine simplifies the process of making focaccia.
With the machine handling the mixing and kneading, the focus shifts to preparing the toppings and baking.
This method allows anyone to enjoy freshly baked bread without the need for extensive baking skills.
The dough cycle takes care of the hard work, allowing the baker to relax while the machine does its job.
This convenience is perfect for busy individuals who still want to enjoy homemade bread.
Preparing the Dough
Creating the dough for focaccia is straightforward.
Start by adding warm water and olive oil to the bread machine, followed by the dry ingredients in a specific order.
This ensures proper mixing and yeast activation, leading to a well-risen dough.
After the initial mixing, the dough is left to rise until it doubles in size.
This step is crucial for achieving that light and airy texture characteristic of focaccia.
Shaping and Baking
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape it.
Transfer the dough to a greased baking pan and gently stretch it to fit.
Creating dimples with your fingers not only adds a visual appeal but also helps to hold the olive oil and toppings.
After a second rise, the focaccia is ready for the oven.
Drizzling olive oil and sprinkling herbs and sea salt on top before baking enhances the flavor and texture of the crust.
Serving Suggestions
Focaccia is best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
Slice it into squares and serve warm, perhaps with a small bowl of olive oil for dipping.
This bread pairs wonderfully with soups, salads, or as a base for sandwiches.
For an added touch, consider serving it with a variety of dips or spreads.
Its versatility makes it a delightful addition to any meal, whether casual or formal.
Easy Bread Machine Focaccia Recipe
This focaccia bread is made with flour, water, yeast, and olive oil, topped with fresh herbs and sea salt. The bread machine handles the mixing and kneading, making the process straightforward. It takes about 2 hours from start to finish and yields one large loaf.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped (optional)
- Coarse sea salt for topping
- Extra olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Pour the warm water and olive oil into the bread machine pan. Add the bread flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in that order.
- Select Cycle: Choose the ‘Dough’ cycle on your bread machine and start it. Allow the machine to mix and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Once the cycle is complete, let the dough rise in the machine for about 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease a baking sheet or a 9×13 inch pan with olive oil.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the risen dough to the prepared pan. Gently stretch and press it to fit the pan, creating dimples with your fingers.
- Second Rise: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Add Toppings: Drizzle the top of the dough with olive oil, sprinkle with chopped herbs, and coarse sea salt.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 12 slices
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
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