Spring Herb Focaccia (Printable version)

Fluffy focaccia topped with cherry tomatoes and a vibrant mix of spring herbs, olive oil, and flaky salt.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 500 g (about 4 cups) bread flour
02 - 2 tsp fine sea salt
03 - 7 g (1 packet) active dry yeast
04 - 350 ml (1½ cups) lukewarm water
05 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for greasing)

→ Topping

06 - 200 g (1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 2 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
08 - 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
09 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
10 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, torn
11 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 1½ tsp flaky sea salt
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
02 - In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
03 - Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour. Mix with a wooden spoon or dough scraper until a sticky dough forms.
04 - Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
05 - Generously oil a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking tray. Gently transfer the risen dough to the tray. With oiled fingers, press and stretch the dough to fill the tray, creating dimples all over the surface.
06 - Cover the tray with a towel and let the dough rise again for 30–40 minutes.
07 - Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
08 - Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the dough. Scatter the cherry tomatoes, herbs, and flaky salt evenly across the top. Add black pepper to taste.
09 - Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and the edges are crisp.
10 - Let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Plucking fresh herbs and squishing tomatoes into dimples makes this bread just as fun to prepare as it is to eat.
  • It delivers impressive bakery-style results with surprisingly little fuss—especially when feeding a group craving something special.
02 -
  • If the dough doesn’t rise in the first proof, it usually means the yeast wasn’t fresh or the water was too hot—always check before starting over.
  • Letting the dough rest properly after stretching prevents tough bread and keeps the texture light and fluffy.
03 -
  • Mix the dough with a dough scraper or wet hands—sticky is good; over-flouring dries it out quickly.
  • The secret to deep flavor is generous olive oil: don’t hold back when greasing your tray or drizzling on top.
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