Caramel Apple Pull-Apart Focaccia
Caramel Apple Pull-Apart Focaccia
Ingredients
For the Focaccia Dough
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water, (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for greasing
For the Spiced Apple Filling
- 3 apples, medium, peeled, cored, and diced (e.g., Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the Microwave Caramel Icing
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Focaccia Dough: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar in warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add flour, remaining granulated sugar, salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 95 min
- 2
Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
⏱️ 15 min
- 3
Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and cornstarch.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375
- 5
Assemble the Focaccia: Gently punch down the risen focaccia dough. Pinch off small pieces of dough (about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter) and flatten them slightly. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the spiced apple filling into the center of each dough piece, then pinch the edges together to form a ball, sealing the filling inside. Dip each dough ball into the cornstarch/sugar coating, ensuring it's fully covered.
⏱️ 15 min
- 6
Arrange and Add More Filling: Arrange the coated dough balls closely together in the prepared baking pan. Spoon any remaining spiced apple filling over the top of the arranged dough balls. Gently press down on the dough balls to help distribute the filling.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and cooked through. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
⏱️ 35 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
Prepare the Microwave Caramel Icing: While the focaccia bakes, combine butter, brown sugar, and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir well. Microwave for another 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the mixture is bubbly and the sugar is dissolved. Remove from microwave, stir in vanilla extract, then gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth. If it's too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Glaze and Serve: Once the focaccia is out of the oven, immediately pour the warm caramel icing evenly over the top. Let it cool for a few minutes to allow the icing to set and form a crackly shell. Serve warm and pull apart to enjoy.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Caramel Apple Pull-Apart Focaccia
For the Focaccia Dough
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water, (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for greasing
For the Spiced Apple Filling
- 3 apples, medium, peeled, cored, and diced (e.g., Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the Microwave Caramel Icing
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Focaccia Dough: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar in warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add flour, remaining granulated sugar, salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 95 min - 2
Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
⏱️ 15 min - 3
Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and cornstarch.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375 - 5
Assemble the Focaccia: Gently punch down the risen focaccia dough. Pinch off small pieces of dough (about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter) and flatten them slightly. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the spiced apple filling into the center of each dough piece, then pinch the edges together to form a ball, sealing the filling inside. Dip each dough ball into the cornstarch/sugar coating, ensuring it's fully covered.
⏱️ 15 min - 6
Arrange and Add More Filling: Arrange the coated dough balls closely together in the prepared baking pan. Spoon any remaining spiced apple filling over the top of the arranged dough balls. Gently press down on the dough balls to help distribute the filling.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and cooked through. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
⏱️ 35 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
Prepare the Microwave Caramel Icing: While the focaccia bakes, combine butter, brown sugar, and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir well. Microwave for another 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the mixture is bubbly and the sugar is dissolved. Remove from microwave, stir in vanilla extract, then gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth. If it's too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Glaze and Serve: Once the focaccia is out of the oven, immediately pour the warm caramel icing evenly over the top. Let it cool for a few minutes to allow the icing to set and form a crackly shell. Serve warm and pull apart to enjoy.
⏱️ 5 min