Description
This Focaccia Cheesy Garlic Bread is a delightful blend of soft, fluffy focaccia bread topped with a rich garlic butter sauce and a generous layer of melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic, this dish is baked to golden perfection in a cast-iron skillet, offering a crispy edge and a gooey cheesy center. Ideal as a savory appetizer or a comforting side, it pairs wonderfully with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
Garlic Butter
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Toppings
- 1 ½ cups (169.5 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup (113 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing the yeast to activate and foam.
- Prepare oil mixture: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Pour half of this mixture into the yeast mixture and set the remaining half aside for later use.
- Make the dough: Add all-purpose flour to the combined oil and yeast mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat oven and prepare skillet: Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Pour the remaining oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and use a pastry brush to coat the bottom and sides evenly.
- Shape bottom dough layer: Place half of the dough into the skillet and use your fingers to stretch it evenly to the edges. Create dimples across the dough surface for texture and to hold the garlic butter.
- Add first layer of cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough in the skillet.
- Prepare top dough layer: Take the remaining half of the dough and place it on a sheet of parchment paper. Shape it into a 12-inch circle. Carefully invert the parchment paper over the skillet to cover the cheese and peel back the paper, leaving the dough on top of the first layer.
- Make garlic butter topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt until fully combined. Use your fingers to gently create dimples in the top dough, then brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the surface.
- Add remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and then the cheddar cheese evenly on top of the dough and garlic butter.
- Bake the focaccia: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until the bread turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot, ideally with marinara sauce for dipping, for a deliciously cheesy and garlicky experience.
Notes
- Make sure the water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
- Allowing the dough to rise fully ensures a soft and airy texture.
- Using a cast-iron skillet helps create a crispy crust.
- For extra flavor, you can sprinkle additional herbs like rosemary or thyme on top before baking.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
