Beginner’s Three Cheese Focaccia

This EASY Three Cheese Focaccia is the perfect bread for any beginner baker! (LIKE ME!) Delicious, impressive, and super simple! Anyone can make homemade bread. If I can do it, you can do it!

We went up to Kirksville (middle of nowhere, Missouri) for Christmas to visit my parents. It was a perfect weekend of playing “Password”, tormenting my niece Desdi, and eating my mom’s AMAZING FOOD. You guys…the food. I am very lucky to have my mother as a mother. It’s partly why it took me so long to learn how to cook. I was so content letting her feed me, I never learned for myself. She made the most amazing desserts,  and also literally the best meal I’ve had in my life. Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin. She hasn’t posted it yet on Simply Sated, but let’s all hope she does soon. I wanted to take home leftovers, but my brother’s dog ate them all. We all almost cried. It was so so so amazing. “Everyone who thinks Doozie made a good meal, hold up your hands!”

I may not have contributed much food-wise to Christmas in Kirksville (can you blame me???), but I did MAKE BREAD!!!! If that doesn’t shock you, it should. I have only made two cakes in my life, and have never made bread. Baking is coming to me slowly but surely. I have always been scared to try it. Why was I so scared??

Is it possible that this delicious Beginner’s Three Cheese Focaccia was both easy and delicious??

Not intimidating at all? Quick? Yes. All of those things are possible. I know, I was shocked too.

When I first was given Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Yeast…I wasn’t sure what to think. My sister-in-law is a MASTER baker, and I’ve watched her test the yeast, slave over the perfect pie crust or cinnamon rolls, wait forever for yeast to rise. I didn’t believe that the process for this Three Cheese Focaccia could be quick and easy. To be honest, that’s what kept me away from bread making. The time. I’m into easy, not complicated. I was SO pleasantly surprised by this RapidRise yeast. It was as easy as the package said. No testing required. You can mix it right in with your dry ingredients. It worked like a charm. I was filled with pride! Look at that tasty, crusty, Three Cheese Focaccia! I made that!!

Let’s break down the steps so you can see just how easy this delicious bread can be.

1) Mix your yeast into your dry ingredients (detailed below)

2) Combine with very warm water (Bread World has some AWESOME tips about this. Click HERE to see them all. The water should be between 120-130F…very warm to the touch but not scalding hot)

3) Allow the dough to rise in a warm place. We placed our oven on 200F for 2-3 minutes and then turned it off 5 minutes before placing the bread inside to rise.

4) Bake according to recipe

5) Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy!

Easy, right?? I know. I’m shocked too.

I saved this recipe to make with my mom over Christmas weekend (because I was scared to make it alone). I really shouldn’t have been scared. Take the leap, it’s SO easy! I can’t wait to try more recipes for beginners, and maybe eventually even step it up to harder recipes! (NOT YET)  You can find lots of fool-proof delicious recipes on Bread World HERE. I modified their Beginner’s Focaccia by adding lots of cheese (duh.) Can’t go wrong there!

Enjoy!

Beginner's Three Cheese Focaccia

Course: Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 206kcal

Author: Becky Hardin - The Cookie Rookie

Such an easy and delicious homemade bread that anyone can make! 

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Ingredients

• 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Spice Islands® Italian Herb Seasoning
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• sea salt plus more cheese for garnish

Instructions

• Combine flour, dry yeast, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir until blended.
• Combine water and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH in 15 second increments until very warm but not scalding hot to the touch (120° to 130°F).
• Add water mixture to flour mixture. Stir with a large wooden spoon until well mixed. A dough will form.
• Spread into greased 13 x 9-inch pan . The dough might not completely go to corners, but it will once it rises.
• Cover with thin kitchen towel; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes .
• Using your lightly oiled finger, gently poke holes about every inch in the dough going nearly to the bottom of the dough. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle top with more cheese, sea salt, and Italian herbs.
• Let rise, uncovered, an additional 15 minutes while oven preheats to 375°F.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly. Cut and serve with extra oil for dipping if you'd like.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 35mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Calcium: 206mg | Iron: 0.8mg

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