2 hour Small Batch Focaccia

Hello and welcome to my go-to small batch focaccia recipe! It’s super quick to make (only about 5 minutes of actual work involved and 2 hours of proofing time), and perfect for date night or a last minute lunch for when you don’t want any to go to waste!

This simple recipe is great for beginner bread makers or kids, and dough can easily be made with any flavours that take your fancy. I topped mine here with herbs and garlic but there are so many options! Caramelised onion and rosemary? Tomato and Olives? Peaches and honey?! Now that’s a really good one!! Please give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 teaspoons dry yeast

• 1 teaspoon of honey

• 2 2/3 cups (330g) bread/ all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon of salt (I used Maldon)

• 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, divided

• 1 1/4 cups of lukewarm water

For the toppings:

• garlic, olive oil, salt, herbs of choice (rosemary, thyme, oregano or chives are delicious)

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large bowl add dry yeast, honey, and water and let sit 5 minutes for the yeast to bloom and get foamy. After the yeast has bloomed, add the flour, salt and 1 tablespoon of oil. Bring together (with your hands or a spoon) mixing for 1 minute or so to form a wet dough.

• Stand Mixer (recommended): Mix in a stand mixer with dough hook attached for 10 to 15 minutes on medium speed until the dough starts to come away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.

• By Hand: Mix dough with a spoon for a couple of minutes, then with oiled hands knead the dough for a further 5 minutes until soft and stretchy. Add more flour if needed.

• Prove dough in an oiled bowl in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Preheat your oven to 200°C fan forced or 220°C/425°F and lightly oil a baking tray or small shallow oven proof dish. Punch down the dough and add it to the oiled baking tray, stretch the dough so it reaches to the corners of the tray. Prove dough for a further 30 minutes.

• Add olive oil and toppings of choice over the top of the dough then make small dips in the dough with your fingertips.

• Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until deliciously golden. Please enjoy!