Bacon Focaccia bread is a delicious twist on an Italian classic, and the best sandwich bread we've ever had! The texture is light and airy and the addition of bacon and salt really make it pop!
In a medium saucepan, combine milk, water, and sugar. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and let cool until just warm enough you can stand to keep your finger in the liquid for a few seconds (about 105 degrees F).
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour with yeast. Pour milk mixture into yeast mixture, and whisk to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes to let the yeast bloom. {My mixture didn't get super bubbly, and the bread came out great)
Add remaining flour, cornstarch, salt, eggs, and bacon. Mix ingredients using a stand mixture with dough hook attachment. If the dough is too dry, add a milk (a tablespoon at a time) until the dough is well combined. (if the dough gets too wet, mix in a little extra flour.)
Form the dough into a ball, and place in a large bowl that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray. turn the dough in the bowl to coat all sides. Cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place - until doubled in size. {It's so pretty when you take the towel off for the reveal!}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Transfer the dough to the baking dish. Using your hands, press the dough into the pan so that it reaches all the edges and corners of the pan. Set side for another 20 minutes.
Sprinkle the top of the dough with a little sea salt. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden on top and the bottom of the bread, is browned. Remove from oven. Let bread sit in the baking dish for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cut into 12 squares and serve! You can also cut 4 or 6 larger squares for sandwich bread. Simply cut each large square in half horizontally and make your sandwich! Or or or...make slider sandwiches out of the 12 smaller squares!
Notes
If you don't have a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, you can knead the dough by hand until the ingredients are well incorpoarted and the dough has a good stretch to it.