Shamrock Bread
Shamrock Bread is a simple, homemade focaccia bread recipe topped with green bell peppers to create adorable, edible shamrocks for St. Patty's Day!
Servings: 1 loaf
Equipment
- 2 large mixing bowls
- 1 small bowl
- cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 2½ cups warm water about 110 degrees
- 2½ tsp maple syrup
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 5 cups bread flour 625g
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided
Toppings
- 1 large green bell pepper sliced into rings
- flakey sea salt I use and love this one!
Instructions
Activate the Yeast
- Combine the warm water, maple syrup, and yeast in a bowl. Stir and then allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes.👩🏻🍳Tip: the water should be warm but not hot for best results.
Make the Dough
- In the meantime, combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk well and then add the yeast and water mixture. 👩🏻🍳 Tip: You don't need a scale for this recipe, but inexpensive food scales can make a BIG difference when baking. Here's the one I have.
- Use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to mix until a shaggy dough appears. Then use clean hands to knead the dough in the bowl for one minute.
Knead
- To knead the dough, pull the dough upwards from the top of the bowl and fold it downwards. Then rotate the bowl 1/4 turn and repeat, lifting and folding as you go to stretch out the dough. Watch me do this here for a visual. 👩🏻🍳 Tip: it's a good idea to oil your hands with a little olive oil before doing this, because the dough will be pretty sticky.
- Then add 4 tbsp of olive oil to another large mixing bowl and rub it all over the sides of bowl so it won't stick. 👩🏻🍳 Tip: This will look like way too much olive oil but trust me, it's part of the recipe, not just to prevent sticking. The remaining olive oil will get mixed in later and it contributes to the overall flavor of the bread, so don't skimp!
Rest
- Cover the bowl tightly, and allow the dough to rest in a warm place for 2 hours.I let it hang out in the oven - make sure it's TURNED OFF first lol - and just put the oven light on for warmth ☀️
Knead
- After the first rise, knead for one more minute, following the same lift and fold method from before. Mixing in the remaining olive oil and you knead.
- Then grease a cookie sheet with the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil and transfer the dough to the pan. Don't try to shape it yet, just let it be for another hour to relax and rise.
Decorate + Bake
- After that, pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Now that it's rested, you should be able to stretch the dough to the edges of the pan. Shape into a 9x13 inch rectangle, and then use your fingers to dimple the bread to create an even layer.
- Then add your sliced bell peppers on top and sprinkle with 2 big pinches of flakey sea salt. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until deeply golden brown.
Slice + Serve
- Allow to cool before slicing, then cut into long strips using a serrated knife like this one. Enjoy your homemade focaccia as is, or serve alongside soups, salads, or crudités for a delicious and festive snack!
Like this recipe?
- If you enjoy this bread recipe, please rate and review below! It really helps support my website and allows others to more easily find my recipes 👩🏻🍳 I really appreciate it! Happy baking ❤️ Nicole