Grape Focaccia and Brie Grilled Cheese

Name: Grape Focaccia and Brie Grilled Cheese
Prep time: 145 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 165 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup warm water; 2 tablespoons milk (warmed); 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar; 1 1/4 teaspoons rapid rise yeast; 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt (divided); 6 tablespoons olive oil; 1 1/2 cups halved grapes (halved); 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary needles; 2 8 ounce rounds of brie (sliced)

How to make focaccia grilled cheese

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, stir together water, milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy. Add the flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix well on low. Attach the dough hook and raise the speed. Allow the dough to knead for another 8 minutes.

Brush a large bowl with olive oil. Scrape the dough into the bowl and brush with more olive oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise.

With a floured hand, punch the dough down. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide it into two balls. Brush two small baking sheets with olive oil, place one ball of dough on each, and brush with more oil. Lightly cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for 20 minutes.

Dip your fingers in olive oil and press and stretch the dough balls into a large rectangle an inch or two smaller than the baking sheet. Allow your fingers to dimple the dough. Cover again with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to an hour.

Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Brush the tops of the dough with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with grapes, rosemary, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Bake 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Let cool slightly before cutting into large rectangles.

Preheat a panini press to medium. Place brie slices on the grape side of a slice of focaccia and top with another slice, so all the grapes are on the inside of the sandwich.

Grill sandwiches just until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and serve.

Top tips

Best grapes for grape focaccia

Black grapes are my favorite because they're so sweet, but any color grape would work here. I chose to bake the grapes right into the bread to make them juicy and flavorful.

What to serve with focaccia grilled cheese

This sandwich is ridiculously rich, and eats like a meal all by itself! If you want to serve it with a little something extra, I suggest pairing it with alongside leafy green salad or a simple soup.

How to store brie grilled cheese

When storing leftovers, cool to room temperature then cover and refrigerate for 3-5 days. When ready to eat, reheat it the same way as it was cooked.

Grape Focaccia and Brie Grilled Cheese cut in half and stacked on top of each other on a cutting board.

FAQ

What if I don't have a panini press?

A panini press like the Cuisinart Griddler gets the middle hot and the outside crispy, which is difficult to do in a frying pan. If you only have a pan to work with, I recommend keeping the heat on low and covering the pan with a lid to give the cheese time to melt while the bread gets golden and crispy.

Can I skip the oil?

The oil is technically optional, but will make the sandwich more crisp and may help prevent sticking. If you prefer not to cook with oil, you can use butter or mayonnaise instead, or omit it completely.

More grilled cheese recipes