Description
This homemade Onion Focaccia Bread features a soft, airy dough infused with garlic and olive oil, topped with sweet caramelized onions and melted white cheddar cheese. Perfect as a savory snack or accompaniment to meals, this focaccia combines rich flavors with a satisfying chewy texture, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Dough
- 1 cup warm water (110°F-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (71 g) olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
Topping
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 large yellow onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup (113 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes until foamy, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Prepare Olive Oil Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together ⅓ cup olive oil, minced garlic, and half of the kosher salt (½ teaspoon). Set aside half of this mixture for later use.
- Make Dough: Pour half of the olive oil mixture into the yeast mixture. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and stir until combined to form a dough.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Caramelize Onions: While the dough rises, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and 1 teaspoon sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the reserved olive oil and garlic mixture into the bottom of a 9×11-inch baking dish. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the dish.
- Shape Dough: Place the risen dough into the baking dish, working it to the edges. Use your fingers to create dimples across the surface of the dough.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt evenly over the dough, followed by the shredded white cheddar cheese and the caramelized onions.
- Bake: Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm, enjoying the rich flavors and tender crumb of the focaccia bread.
Notes
- You can use yellow or white onions for caramelizing depending on your preference.
- Make sure the water is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Allow the dough to double in size during the first rise for optimal texture.
- Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture; leftovers can be reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Onion Focaccia, Focaccia Bread, Caramelized Onion Bread, Garlic Focaccia, Italian Bread, Homemade Bread
