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Twice Baked Cheese Stuffed Focaccia Bread

Simple, herb studded, crispy, and crunchy focaccia bread that is stuffed with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 12 -15 Pieces

Ingredients

For the bread:

  • 1 Package Active Dry Yeast about 2 1/4 Teaspoons
  • 1 Cup Warm Water not above 110 degrees F
  • 1 Teaspoon Honey or Agave
  • 2 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ Cup plus 2 Tablespoons divided
  • 1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
  • 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 2 Cups Low Moisture Shredded Mozzarella
  • 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan-Romano Cheese

Optional Toppings:

  • Baby Arugula
  • Drizzles of Balsamic Vinegar Olive Oil, and Honey
  • More Grated Parmesan-Romano Cheese

Instructions

  1. Add honey/agave to the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment or to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the warm water and whisk to combine. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water. Whisk to combine. Let the yeast sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add the flour, salt, basil, oregano, and 1/4 cup of olive oil to the bowl. Mix on low until a shaggy dough starts to form. Turn the mixer on medium/high and knead for five minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled mixing bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot to rise for an hour and a half, until doubled in size.
  4. Once doubled, punch down, and transfer to a lightly oiled 9 inch x 11 inch or 9 inch x 13 inch rimmed baking sheet. Stretch the dough to fit the pan as best you can. Poke the dough a dozen times to make slight indentations. Drizzle the dough with remaining olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise another thirty to forty minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  6. Sprinkle the top of the dough with the grated cheese. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes.
  7. Once the bread is cool to the touch, use a serrated knife to slice the entire loaf in half right down the middle, like a sandwich. Place each half cut side up on two different baking sheets. Cover each half in one cup of cheese.
  8. Bake in the oven for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted. Carefully place the two halves back together. Allow bread to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before slicing and serving.