Simply Hygge

February 5, 2026

Hygge Hobbies: Bread Making

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One of my favorite and most hygge of hobbies is making bread. I first got into baking bread after being inspired by the documentary Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat watching Samin Nosrat make focaccia in Italy. The recipe below is for my crazy easy focaccia that truly anyone can make. Better yet it can be made the same day and does not have to prove overnight like many focaccia recipes.

Ingredients

2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
1½ cups warm water (not hot- think bath water)
2 tsp honey
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup olive oil (plus 1/2 cup more for the pan + 1/4 for the top topping). 1 cup total
Flaky salt

Step 1: Wake up the yeast (10 min)

In a large bowl:

Warm water + honey + yeast
Stir gently and let sit until foamy- 5-10 minutes

Step 2: Make the dough (5 min)

Add 1/4 cup olive oil and salt
Stir in flour until you get a sticky, shaggy dough
No kneading needed. Just mix until combined

Step 3: First rise (45–60 min)

Cover the bowl with a damp towel
Let rise in a warm spot until nearly doubled

Step 4: Pan + second rise (2-3 hrs)

Pour 1/2 cup of olive oil into a 9×13 pan
Transfer dough to pan
Gently stretch toward corners (don’t force it)
Let rest uncovered until it’s almost reached the edges of the pan. In a 70 degree kitchen this took 3 hours, but timing can vary. It’s hard to over-prove (I just love focaccia).