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Cheesy Garlic Focaccia Bread Recipe

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3.8 from 13 reviews

This Focaccia Cheesy Garlic Bread is a deliciously soft and cheesy Italian-inspired bread layered with garlic butter, parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar cheeses. Baked to a golden perfection in a cast iron skillet, it’s perfect for sharing as an appetizer or snack served with marinara sauce.

Ingredients

Bread Dough

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour

Garlic Butter Topping

  • ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Cheeses

  • 1 ½ cups (169.5 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
  • 1 cup (113 g) cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir the mixture, then let it rest for 5 minutes until frothy to activate the yeast.
  2. Prepare Olive Oil Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. This will be used to flavor the dough.
  3. Mix Dough: Pour half of the olive oil mixture into the yeast mixture. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, stirring until combined into a sticky dough.
  4. Let Dough Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Skillet: When the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Pour the remaining half of the olive oil mixture into a 12-inch cast iron skillet and use a pastry brush to evenly coat the bottom and sides.
  6. Form First Dough Layer: Press half of the dough into the prepared skillet, spreading it evenly to the edges. Use your fingers to create dimples in the dough to mimic classic focaccia texture.
  7. Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough layer in the skillet.
  8. Form Second Dough Layer: On a piece of parchment paper, shape the remaining dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully invert the parchment paper over the cheese-topped dough in the skillet, then peel back the parchment paper, leaving the dough on top.
  9. Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and kosher salt to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
  10. Brush Garlic Butter: Gently dimple the top dough layer with your fingers and brush the garlic butter evenly over the surface to infuse robust flavor.
  11. Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese along with the shredded cheddar cheese over the garlic butter layer.
  12. Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  13. Serve: Remove from oven, cut into strips, and serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • Use warm water (not hot) to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
  • A cast iron skillet provides the best heat retention and crisps the focaccia beautifully.
  • Make sure the dough has doubled in size before assembling to ensure a soft, airy bread.
  • You can substitute the cheddar cheese with your favorite sharp cheese if desired.
  • For extra garlic flavor, add more minced garlic to the butter mixture or sprinkle on top before baking.
  • Allow the bread to cool for a few minutes after baking for easier slicing and better cheese set.
  • This bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in an oven to retain crispness.

Find it online: https://simpleplatter.com/cheesy-garlic-focaccia-bread-recipe/