Focaccia

By mistynoelle13

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 to 3 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour or Better for Bread® bread flour
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh or 1 tablespoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package regular or fast-acting dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 cup water
• 3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
• Cooking spray to grease bowl and cookie sheets
• 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup grated or finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Details

Servings 24
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 120mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large bowl, stir 1 cup of the flour, the rosemary, sugar, salt and yeast with a wooden spoon until well mixed.

2. In a 1-quart saucepan, heat the water over medium heat until very warm and an instant-read thermometer reads 120°F to 130°F. Add the water and 3 tablespoons oil to the flour mixture.

3. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 minutes, stopping frequently to scrape batter from side and bottom of bowl with a rubber spatula.

4. With a wooden spoon, stir in enough of the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until dough is soft, leaves side of bowl and is easy to handle (the dough maybe slightly sticky).

5. Sprinkle flour lightly on a countertop or large cutting board. Place dough on floured surface. Knead by folding dough toward you, then with the heels of your hands, pushing dough away from you with a short rocking motion. Move dough a quarter turn and repeat. Continue kneading 5 to 8 minutes, sprinkling surface with more flour if dough starts to stick, until dough is smooth and springy.

6. Spray a large bowl with the cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place 30 minutes or until dough has almost doubled in size.

7. Dough is ready if an indentation remains when you press your fingertips about 1/2 inch into the dough.

8. Spray 2 cookie sheets or 12-inch pizza pans with the cooking spray.

9. Gently push your fist into the dough to deflate it. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a flattened 10-inch round on a cookie sheet.

10. Lightly spray 2 sheets of plastic wrap with cooking spray; cover the dough loosely with the plastic wrap, sprayed side down. Let rise in a warm place about 30 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. Remove plastic wrap.

11. Heat the oven to 400°F. Using your fingers, gently make 1/2-inch-deep depressions about 2 inches apart in dough. Carefully brush with 2 tablespoons oil, using a pastry brush; sprinkle with cheese.

12. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cooled.