Garlic and Herb Focaccia Bread

I often make this bread for my family. It is so good, especially while it is warm from the oven. My kids love to eat this bread. Sometimes, I will add pieces of cooked and drained hamburger over the top. Or we dunk the bread in Marinara sauce for a yummmy treat. 

Ingredients

2 c. warm water (between 100-110°F
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. instant yeast or 1 pkg active dry yeast
1/4 c. butter or olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning or Green's No Salt Herb Blend
1 Tbs. garlic powder  or 4 cloves or more garlic, minced
1/3 c. dry milk powder
4 1/2 to 5 c. flour
3 Tbs. butter melted
Pretzel salt
Garlic Powder
Parmesan Cheese

Directions

In a large bowl, mix the water, sugar, and yeast together. Cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes. This will allow you to see if your yeast is active or not.

Add 1 cup flour, butter, salt, Italian Seasoning and garlic powder or minced garlic cloves. Beat with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. This also helps with the kneading process as well. Continue to add flour, about a half cup at a time, until it gets too hard to mix with a spoon. Turn the dough out onto a floured board or countertop.

Knead the dough by hand, adding more flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking. You will want the dough to be a little bit sticky. Knead the dough for 6 to 10 minutes. You will know it has been kneaded enough when it is smooth and elastic. If you poke the dough with your finger, the indention should bounce back slowly.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Hint: I often use the same bowl that I mixed the dough in.   Turn the dough over, so all sides of the dough is coated with oil. Cover the bowl and place it in a warm location for approximately 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size.

Coat the bottom of a 12 x 17-inch baking sheet with about 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Punch the dough down and place it in the center of the baking sheet. Press the dough with your fingertips until it covers the cookie sheet. Place in in a warm location to rise for approximately 1 hour.

Dimple the surface of the dough dough with your fingertips or your knuckles.

Pour the melted butter or olive oil over the top. Sprinkle with the pretzel salt, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. You can also sprinkle some Italian seasoning over the top of the top as well.

Bake for 20 minutes in a preheated 375° oven until golden brown.