Description
Italian Garlic Butter Focaccia is a crispy, aromatic bread featuring a golden crust infused with rich garlic butter and fresh herbs. This classic Italian bread is easy to prepare, versatile, and perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side to many dishes. Its buttery, fragrant, and light texture makes it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Garlic Butter Topping
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped
- Coarse sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Start by activating the yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar, letting it foam for about 5 minutes. Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl, then add the yeast mixture along with olive oil. Mix until the dough comes together, and knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, typically 1-2 hours.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: While the dough is rising, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in finely minced garlic and chopped fresh rosemary or thyme. Allow the flavors to infuse gently, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Shape and Second Rise: Once risen, transfer the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently stretch it out into a rectangle or circle about ½ inch thick. Dimple the surface using your fingertips, then brush generously with the garlic butter mixture. Let the dough rest again for 30 minutes to achieve a fluffy texture.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Before placing the focaccia in the oven, add a final brush of garlic butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt if desired. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve Warm and Enjoy: Allow the focaccia to cool just slightly, then slice and serve warm to enjoy the full flavor of the garlic butter infusion.
Notes
- Use fresh or high-quality active dry yeast for the best rise and flavor.
- Don’t skimp on butter to ensure richness and a crispy crust.
- Handle the dough gently when shaping to preserve a light, airy crumb.
- Allow enough rising time for the dough to develop optimal flavor and texture.
- Fresh herbs are preferred, but dried can be used if fresh is not available.
- Keep an eye on baking time to prevent burning the garlic butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Italian focaccia, garlic butter bread, Italian appetizer, garlic bread, herb focaccia
