The Best Garden Focaccia Ever! (Recipe)

Where are my lazy bakers at? My people, I’ve found you.

Look, I don't really like being in the kitchen.

I won’t pretend that it sparks a ton of joy on my part, but honestly, what beats fresh baked focaccia bread?

Answer: fresh baked GARDEN focaccia bread.

You’ve seen them, the Pinterest-inspired, Instagram worthy baked bread with the beautiful floral designs. Talk about a feast for the eyes.

I thought to myself, well, you’ve got the baking supplies in that seldom-used kitchen. There are plenty of delicious green things in the garden. Do you have the gumption?

My gumption rose from slumber and declared herself present — if only to spite the other parts of me that had my doubts about my follow-through on this baking adventure.

Alright, cool. Let’s do this.

And so, dear friends, I took the parts of several recipes I liked the best and made what turned out to be brilliant focaccia bread, if I do say so myself. Check it out and try it for yourself.

Garden Focaccia Recipe: Ingredients

• 4 cups of flour (if you’re the type of person with different kinds of fancy flour, this recipe probably isn’t for you)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 ¼ teaspoons of instant yeast (is there any other kind?)
• 2 cups warm water
• Somethin’ greasy for the pan – oil or butter, whatever makes you happy
• A dollop of honey
• A few tablespoons of olive oil
• Veggies and herbs (from your garden, dry herbs, or both). As for amounts, measure with what feels right. Yes, feelings are measurements.

Do you have all the ingredients?

Do you have MOST of the ingredients? If so, we can limp along and figure things out… I think as long as you have the yeast and the flour, you can sub in the other things. But what do I know?

Time to start baking. Let’s do this step-by-step.

Prepare That Dough

1. Get large bowl and put in the flour, salt, and yeast and mix ‘em real good.
2. Add the water – it should be warm, not hot. Mix until it forms a dough and all the dry ingredients are mixed in.
3. Cover the bowl with reusable or plastic wrap and put it in the fridge.
4. Take a break, you deserve it. Leave the dough alone for 8-12 hours and spend that time doing something fun.

Handle That Dough

1. Grease up those pans with your oil or butter and, if you’re so inclined, line the pans with parchment paper. What kind of pans are you working with? I used two 9-inch cake pans, but if you have a large baking sheet, cast-iron skillet, casserole dish, use whatever.
2. Split the dough in half and form into two balls.
3. Coat your dough balls in some of that olive oil (don’t be shy!) and leave them in the baking pans.
Cover them with your wrap of choice for about two hours to give them time to warm up and expand.
4. While you’re waiting on your dough, cut out some fun floral shapes with your veggies (or use this time for another break).
Truth be told, I just started cutting the peppers with kitchen scissors because I’m a lazy baker and it was faster than cutting shapes with a knife.

Bake That Bread

1. Set your oven to 425°F and make sure your rack is in the middle of the oven.
2. Get your olive oil ready and drizzle a bit more on top of your dough. You can incorporate some of your dry and fresh herbs now too. I put garlic, fresh rosemary, dried oregano, and a bit of sea salt in our dough.
3. Use your fingers to create deep dimples in the dough and spread the dough out to the edges of the pan. No need to be gentle, jab your fingers as much as you like – it’s great for relieving any tension. I drizzled the dough with just a touch of honey before adding my designs on top.
4. Decorate with a garden scape. I chose to pick lazy baker designs and went with two bouquets. Both have pepper flowers, rosemary stalks, and basil leaves. One of them Has sliced tomatoes to form a vase. Use what makes you happy: chives, oregano, garlic, mushrooms, the possibilities are endless.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until it’s golden brown.
6. Eat. And eat. And dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. And eat some more.

See? Super easy.

For you ambitious types that try to make garden focaccia, show us your designs. Tag us in your photos on Instagram or join our private Facebook Group and show off your baking skills!!

Worst case scenario? If it's a total disaster you don't have to tell anyone, show anyone or post it online.

Just compost it and order take out!

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