Place the warm water and sugar in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and stir well to combine. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir just a bit. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
3/4 cup warm water, 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar, 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
Turn the mixer on low speed, and add 1 cup of the flour and the salt and mix just until combined. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the rosemary, if using, and mix until incorporated.
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 4 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
With the mixer on low, gradually add 1/2 cup of the remaining flour, then add just enough of the remaining 1/4 cup until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl (you may not need it all).
Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Grease a cast iron skillet or 8 - 9" cake pan with 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly flour a surface with flour. Remove the dough and place onto the floured surface and sprinkle the top lightly with flour.
Gently shape the dough into a flat disk and place in the prepared skillet, then press the dough evenly in the bottom of the skillet and 1" up the sides. If the dough keeps shrinking back, allow it to rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten. Cover with a clean towel. TURN OFF THE OVEN and place the skillet in the oven for 20 minutes to rise.
Remove the skillet from the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Remove the towel and brush the top of the bread with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Par bake the focaccia the bread for 10 until the top is lightly browned.
Brush the focaccia with the marinara sauce, followed by 1/4 cup of the parmesan blend, then top with sliced mozzarella and pepperoni. Bake for 7-10 minutes until the bread is crisp on the edges (use an offset spatula or butter knife to lift the edge away from the pan to check for doneness).
5 tablespoons marinara sauce, 6 tablespoons shredded parmesan, 5 ounces fresh mozzarella, 12 slices pepperoni
Remove from heat and top with remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese blend and torn basil. Slice, serve and enjoy!
1/3 cup fresh basil