Jalapeño Cheddar Focaccia (Printable Version)

# What You Need:

→ For the Dough

01 - 480 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
02 - 2¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
03 - 1½ tsp salt
04 - 1 tbsp sugar
05 - 360 ml (1½ cups) warm water
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for greasing)

→ For the Topping

07 - 1–2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced
08 - 150 g (1½ cups) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
10 - Flaky sea salt, to finish

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Add warm water and olive oil. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
02 - Knead on a floured surface or using a stand mixer with dough hook for 5–6 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
03 - Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
04 - Grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with olive oil. Turn dough into pan and gently stretch to fill. Let rest uncovered for 30 minutes.
05 - Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Use fingers to dimple the dough. Drizzle with olive oil. Top with cheddar cheese, jalapeño slices, and a sprinkle of flaky salt.
06 - Bake for 22–25 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Let cool slightly before slicing.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For less heat, remove seeds from the jalapeños.
02 - Add garlic powder or herbs to the dough for extra flavor.
03 - Serve warm with soup, chili, or use for sandwiches.