Yields Serves 12 Total Time 2 hrs
Homemade focaccia bread is an impressive crowd-pleasing recipe. This variation using pears, ground pepper, and parsley pesto will really wow the tastebuds.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Place dough in a lightly oiled 10- by 15-in. rimmed pan; press and push to cover pan evenly. If dough is too elastic, let it rest a few minutes, then press again. Cover dough lightly with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until puffy, about 1 hour.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, put lemon juice in a bowl. Core and thinly slice pears into bowl, mixing fruit with juice. Preheat oven to 400°.

Step 3
3

With your fingertips, gently press dough to cover it with dimpled impressions; also press dough gently into pan corners. Spread pesto evenly over dough. Arrange pear slices on dough and press in gently. Mix sugar and pepper and sprinkle over pears.

Step 4
4

Bake focaccia 20 minutes, then sprinkle with parmesan and parsley. Continue baking until focaccia is well browned on edges and underside, 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Step 5
5

Cut hot or cool focaccia into pieces.

Step 6
6

Make ahead: Cool, cover, and hold at room temperature up to 6 hours. To reheat, lightly cover pan with foil and bake in a 350° oven until warm, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Ingredients

 1 loaf (1 lb.) frozen white bread dough, thawed
 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
 2 medium firm-ripe pears (about 3/4 lb. total)
 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
 3/4 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
  Parsley leaves (optional)

Directions

Step 1
1

Place dough in a lightly oiled 10- by 15-in. rimmed pan; press and push to cover pan evenly. If dough is too elastic, let it rest a few minutes, then press again. Cover dough lightly with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until puffy, about 1 hour.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, put lemon juice in a bowl. Core and thinly slice pears into bowl, mixing fruit with juice. Preheat oven to 400°.

Step 3
3

With your fingertips, gently press dough to cover it with dimpled impressions; also press dough gently into pan corners. Spread pesto evenly over dough. Arrange pear slices on dough and press in gently. Mix sugar and pepper and sprinkle over pears.

Step 4
4

Bake focaccia 20 minutes, then sprinkle with parmesan and parsley. Continue baking until focaccia is well browned on edges and underside, 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Step 5
5

Cut hot or cool focaccia into pieces.

Step 6
6

Make ahead: Cool, cover, and hold at room temperature up to 6 hours. To reheat, lightly cover pan with foil and bake in a 350° oven until warm, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Pear and Pepper Focaccia

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