Baby in Bloom Herb Focaccia (Printable Version)

Vibrant herb focaccia topped with fresh herbs and colorful floral-style vegetables, ideal for spring gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 2 teaspoons instant yeast
03 - 2 teaspoons sugar
04 - 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
05 - 1⅓ cups lukewarm water
06 - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

→ Floral Veggie Art Toppings

07 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced into rings
08 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced into rings
09 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 6 to 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
12 - 8 to 10 asparagus spears, halved lengthwise
13 - 1 carrot, peeled and sliced into thin ribbons
14 - Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley, chives, dill)
15 - Edible flowers such as pansies or nasturtiums (optional)
16 - Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
17 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, and fine sea salt. Create a well in the center and pour in lukewarm water and olive oil. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
02 - Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with dough hook attachment for 5 to 7 minutes.
03 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and allow to rise in a warm location until doubled in size, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
04 - Heat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet (approximately 12 by 16 inches) with parchment paper and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
05 - Punch down the risen dough and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Stretch and press the dough to fit the pan evenly, creating dimples across the surface using your fingertips.
06 - Brush the dough surface generously with extra-virgin olive oil.
07 - Artistically arrange vegetables and fresh herbs to create floral patterns. Use bell pepper rings and tomato halves to form flower centers, asparagus spears or chives for stems, fresh herb leaves for foliage, and carrot ribbons or zucchini slices for delicate petals. Incorporate edible flowers if desired.
08 - Sprinkle the decorated focaccia with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
09 - Allow the decorated dough to rest uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes before baking.
10 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
11 - Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Stunning visual impact—turns simple bread into garden-inspired art
  • Customizable with seasonal vegetables and your favorite fresh herbs
  • Perfect for celebrations, especially baby showers and spring gatherings
  • Medium difficulty with impressive results that wow guests
  • Soft, herb-infused Mediterranean bread with a crispy, olive oil-kissed crust
  • Vegetarian-friendly and serves 8–10 people generously
02 -
  • Use bread flour for the best texture—it has more protein than all-purpose, creating a chewier, more structured crumb
  • Don't skip the dimpling step; those fingertip indentations create pockets that hold olive oil and help the toppings adhere
  • Brush olive oil generously—focaccia should be rich and glistening
  • Prep all vegetables before starting to assemble, so you can work quickly and creatively
  • Pat vegetables dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making the bread soggy
  • Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even golden browning
  • Let the focaccia cool slightly before slicing—this allows the structure to set while keeping it tender inside
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