This amazing apple focaccia bread is a thing of dreams. Several days ago, at the start of fall, I was craving an apple dessert and some yeasty bread at the same time. Then suddenly it occurred to me, why not mix these do delicious things together?? Hence the birth of the apple focaccia.
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the need for a light jacket in the morning and evenings. The crispy feel of the air is divine. I love the way that the sun hangs a little lower casting a shadow that tells me the holidays are around the corner. This bread is a perfect reflection of early fall and my cravings for comfort food in its’ finest.
I begin the recipe by cooking some diced apples in some butter and sugar and then mixing the heavenly concotion into a traditional focaccia dough. After it is baked and beautifully fluffy, I then drizzle it with a little vanilla icing.
In my opinion, it is absolute perfection. It also only takes about an hour to make start to finish! Who doesn’t love creating a beautiful looking bread in an hour’s time?
Make this recipe on a regular weekday or for a fall gathering. You will amaze and impress everyone who is lucky enough to take a bite! Happy fall folks, and happy baking!
Apple Focaccia Bread Ingredients:
- 4 small apples
- 1/4 cup Vegan Butter plus more for topping and buttering the dish (I use Miyokos)
- 3 Tbs. brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 tsp cane sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 cup AP flour
Apple Focaccia Bread Method:
- Preheat oven to 200°F and coat the insides of a 10 inch Cast iron skillet or a bread pan with vegan butter.
- Peel and dice your apples into small 1/2 inch chunks.
- Melt 1/4 cup of vegan butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add in the apples and cook for a few minutes until the apples begin to soften. Then, add in the brown sugar and the cinnamon. Cook a couple more minutes ensuring that the brown sugar gets well incorporated into the butter and apples, but does not burn. Turn off and let cool while you make the dough.
- To make the dough, begin by warming up your almond milk. Placing the almond milk in the microwave for fifteen to twenty seconds should suffice. You don’t want it to be scalding hot- that will kill the yeast. You just want it to be warm.
- Mix in the 1/2 tsp of cane sugar into the warm almond milk and sprinkle the instant yeast on top. Set aside for about five minutes to become foamy.
- When it looks like the yeast is working and alive add in one cup of the all purpose flour. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Then add in the 1/2 tsp salt and most of the apple mixture. I reserve about 1/2 cup of the apple mixture to place on top of the bread in the end.
- Mix well, and add in the rest of the 3/4 cup of flour. The dough should be pretty sticky, but not so sticky that it sticks completely to your spoon. If you think you need more flour add in small amounts at a time until it no longer sticks to your spoon. You should not need more than another 1/4 cup.
- When your dough has mixed, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead just a few times with your hands to ensure that it is all well incorporated. Make sure that you don’t over-knead.
- Form it into a disk and place into your prepared cast iron skillet. TURN YOUR OVEN OFF. You are going to rise the dough in the oven. This low heat will help your dough rise quickly. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and place in the oven for 20 minutes.
- After your dough has risen for 20 minutes, take it out of the oven, and preheat the oven to 400° F.
- While the oven is preheating, poke some dimples in the top of the dough like you would a classic focaccia bread. Then spread the rest of the apple mixture over the top of the dough. The mixture should seep into your dimples you created. I also like to add a little extra butter into the dimples on top.
- When the oven has pre-heated, place the bread into the oven and bake untouched for 20-25 minutes. It should be golden brown on top.
- Let the bread cool, and top with the vanilla icing and enjoy!
Vanilla Icing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 Tbs. almond milk
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- tiny pinch of salt (1/8 tsp)
Vanilla Icing Method:
- Sift the powdered sugar
- Mix in the almond milk, cinnamon, and tiny pinch of salt until well incorporated.
- Drizzle on top of the cooled Apple Focaccia! Enjoy!
