
Apple and Cinnamon Focaccia
Serves: 6-8
Prep time: 12 hours
Cook time: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients
Focaccia Dough
- 300 g (1 ¼ cups) lukewarm water
- 130 g (1/2 cup) milk
- 1 tsp (4 g) instant yeast
- 1 tbsp (22 g) honey
- 1/4 cup (54 g) La Belle Excuse Extra Virgin Black Olive Oil, plus more for greasing
- 500 g (3 1/3 cups) bread flour or tipo 00 flour
- 1 tsp (6 g) salt, plus more for topping
Apple Topping
- 5 apples, peeled and cubed
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) brown sugar
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) ground cinnamon
- A drizzle of La Belle Excuse Extra Virgin Black Olive Oil,
Olive Oil Caramel Sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) La Belle Excuse Extra Virgin Black Olive Oil,
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) very cold maple syrup

Steps
- In a bowl, combine water, milk, yeast, honey, and olive oil.
- In another bowl, mix the flour and salt. Gradually add the liquid mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let rest in an oven with the light on for 30 minutes.
- After this rest, perform 4 consecutive stretch-and-folds.
- Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator. Every 30 minutes, repeat the same 4 stretch-and-folds, for a total of 3 more times.
- Once all 4 series are completed (1 at room temperature + 3 in the fridge), let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.
- In a bowl, toss the apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Transfer the dough to a greased rectangular pan. Spread with your fingers. Place half of the apples in the center, fold the dough to enclose the filling, then gently flip so the seams are underneath.
- Cover and let rise for 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Top with the remaining apples and press dimples into the dough with damp fingers.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes. Let cool for 15–20 minutes before serving.
- For the caramel sauce, whisk the olive oil and cold maple syrup vigorously until thickened. Add a pinch of salt.
- Serve the apple and cinnamon focaccia drizzled with caramel sauce.