Yeasted Sourdough Focaccia Bread Recipe

This yeasted sourdough focaccia bread combines the tangy flavor of sourdough with the light, airy texture of traditional focaccia. It’s perfect for dipping in olive oil or serving alongside your favorite meals.

The recipe is simple and requires minimal ingredients, making it accessible for both novice and experienced bakers. With a few hours of rising time, you’ll have a delicious homemade bread ready to enjoy.

Overview of Focaccia Bread

Focaccia bread is a delightful Italian staple known for its unique texture and flavor. This bread is characterized by its airy interior and crispy crust, making it a perfect accompaniment to various dishes.

The golden-brown crust, dimpled surface, and generous drizzle of olive oil create a visually appealing and appetizing bread. Often garnished with fresh herbs and sea salt, focaccia can elevate any meal or serve as a delicious snack on its own.

Ingredients That Make a Difference

The key to a great focaccia lies in its ingredients. Using an active sourdough starter not only imparts a tangy flavor but also contributes to the bread’s light and airy texture.

Combining warm water, olive oil, all-purpose flour, salt, and instant yeast creates a simple yet effective dough. The addition of coarse sea salt and fresh herbs like rosemary enhances the overall taste, making each bite a delightful experience.

The Art of Dough Preparation

Creating the perfect focaccia starts with mixing the ingredients. Combining the sourdough starter, warm water, and olive oil sets the foundation for the dough.

Once the dry ingredients are added, kneading the dough is essential. This process develops the gluten, resulting in a smooth and elastic texture. After kneading, allowing the dough to rise in a warm environment helps it double in size, which is crucial for achieving that airy quality.

Shaping and Rising

After the first rise, the dough is gently deflated and transferred to a greased baking sheet or cast-iron skillet. Stretching the dough to fit the pan is an important step, as it creates the signature dimples that hold olive oil and toppings.

Covering the dough for a second rise allows it to become puffy and ready for baking. This step is vital for achieving the desired texture and height in the final product.

Baking to Perfection

Preheating the oven is crucial before baking the focaccia. A high temperature ensures a crispy crust while keeping the interior soft and chewy.

Drizzling olive oil over the top and sprinkling with sea salt and herbs before baking adds flavor and enhances the crust’s texture. Baking for 20-25 minutes results in a beautifully golden-brown focaccia that is both inviting and delicious.

Serving Suggestions

Once baked, allowing the focaccia to cool slightly before slicing is important. This helps maintain its structure and makes it easier to serve.

Focaccia is versatile and can be enjoyed on its own, dipped in olive oil, or served alongside soups and salads. Its delightful texture and flavor make it a favorite at gatherings and family meals alike.

Easy Yeasted Sourdough Focaccia Bread Recipe

This focaccia bread features a soft, chewy interior with a crispy crust, enhanced by the flavors of olive oil and sea salt. The recipe takes about 4 hours from start to finish, including rising time, and yields one large focaccia.

Ingredients

• 1 cup active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• Coarse sea salt for topping
• Fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme) for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the sourdough starter, warm water, and olive oil. Stir in the flour, salt, and instant yeast until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
3. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
4. Prepare the Pan: Grease a baking sheet or a large cast-iron skillet with olive oil. Gently deflate the dough and transfer it to the prepared pan. Stretch it out to fit the pan, creating dimples with your fingers.
5. Second Rise: Cover the dough again and let it rise for another 1-2 hours until puffy.
6. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
7. Add Toppings: Drizzle the top of the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt and fresh herbs if desired.
8. Bake: Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on top.
9. 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: 30 minutes
• Rise Time: 3-4 hours
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours

• Servings: 8 slices
• Calories: 180kcal
• Fat: 7g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 25g

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