Gluten Free Rosemary Foccacia Bread

This deliciously easy Gluten Free Foccacia Bread has been a hit at our luncheon's this summer and I promised I'd share the recipe...so here it is! I use the recipe for pizza crust as well (see the note at the bottom.) You can substitute an Italian Seasoning mix for the fresh rosemary if you don't have any rosemary on hand. You can also swap the Pink Himalayan Salt for fresh parmesan or coarse sea salt for the pink stuff if you have trouble finding it.

Ingredients for the Bread:

1 ½ cups very warm water (110˚F)

2 tsp sugar or honey

4 eggs

4 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp vinegar

1 Tbsp active dry yeast

1 cup brown rice flour

1 cup tapioca flour

1 cup Gluten Free bread flour (Pamela’s is my top choice)

2 tsp unflavored gelatin powder

4 tsp xanthan gum

2 tsp fresh finely chopped rosemary

1 ½ tsp sea salt

2 tsp brown rice flour for dusting

Ingredients for the Topping:

2 tsp chopped rosemary

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp Pink Himalayan salt

Directions:

Heat oven to 120˚F. Line a sheet 11” x 13” cookie sheet with parchment and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Using a hand mixer on medium speed, mix together the water, sugar, eggs, olive oil and vinegar until smooth and frothy.

Add the yeast, flours, gelatin, xanthan gum, 2 tsp of rosemary and sea salt and beat for two minutes, scraping dough from the sides regularly – it will be sticky.

Scrape the dough onto the prepared cookie sheet and sprinkle with brown rice flour. Press lightly to spread the dough evenly over the pan. Turn off the oven and let the dough rise at least 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

Remove the foccacia from the oven and begin preheat for baking at 400˚F. In a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients. If the pink Himalayan salt is very coarse, use the back of a spoon to break it up a bit.  Coat the foccacia with the topping using a pastry brush.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Note: Make a double recipe and use the second baked foccacia for quick and easy pizza crust base. I just spread mine with sauce, cheese and toppings and bake for about 5 minutes at 400˚F then broil it until the cheese gets a little bit browned – super easy and yummy!