Description
A beautiful, airy focaccia adorned with colorful vegetables and herbs, this Decorated Focaccia Bread is as delightful to look at as it is to eat—perfect for gatherings, gifting, or creative kitchen fun!
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- 1½ cups warm water
- 1/4 cup olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), thinly sliced
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, parsley, chives)
- Black olives, halved or sliced
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm water and 2 tbsp olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1–1.5 hours.
- Transfer dough to a greased baking sheet. Stretch it gently to fit, dimple with your fingers, drizzle with olive oil, and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
- Decorate with veggies and herbs in floral or abstract patterns. Press toppings gently into the dough. Drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle flaky salt on top.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use all-purpose flour if bread flour is unavailable, but expect a slightly softer texture.
- Thin veggie slices and an olive oil drizzle help prevent toppings from burning.
- Store leftovers at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
