Blueberry Focaccia

I never would have tried this recipe had it not been for one of the partners at Bens firm.  During a recent flight (with an apparent lack of reading material) he saw the recipe in this months Woman’s Day and the recipe found its way to my email inbox.  Thanks, Sam!

blue2

I love blueberries.  I like them cool from the fridge, but there is something about them after they’ve cooked that is spectacular.  They pop in your mouth and release all the warm sweet juices in a completely different way than a raw berry.

This bread has two layers of blueberries and a lovely hint of lemon throughout the dough and on top of the focaccia.  Sugar processed with the lemon zest creates a sweet and tart crunch on top.

lemonsugar

Blueberry Focaccia Bread

Ingredients

    1⁄2 cup sugar
    1 Tbsp grated lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
    3 to 3 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
    1 packet (1⁄4 oz) rapid-rise active dry yeast
    3⁄4 tsp salt
    11⁄4 cups whole milk
    1 large egg, lightly beaten
    1⁄2 stick (1⁄4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
    2 cups (1 pint) blueberries, rinsed and dried

    Directions

1. Pulse sugar and lemon zest in food processor until zest is finely ground and incorporated into the sugar. In a large bowl, whisk 1⁄3 cup of the lemon sugar, 3 cups of the flour, the yeast and salt until blended.

2. Heat milk in a 2-cup measure in on high 11⁄2 minutes, or until temperature registers 130°F on an instant-read thermometer; add to flour mixture with egg and butter. Mix with a rubber spatula until a soft, sticky dough forms; scrape dough onto a floured surface. Using a dough scraper to assist, knead with some of the remaining 1⁄2 cup flour to form a smooth and pliable dough, about 2 minutes. Cover the dough with the mixing bowl; let rest 10 minutes.

3. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide dough in half. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, stretch and pat out on parchment into a 12-in. free-form rectangle, about 1⁄4 in. thick. Scatter with half the blueberries and half of the remaining lemon sugar.

blue1

On floured surface, pat out and stretch remaining dough slightly larger than the first piece and place over bottom dough. Press edges together and tuck under the loaf. Cover with a sheet of greased plastic wrap. Place baking sheet in a warm area. Let rise 1 hour.

4. Heat oven to 350°F. With floured fingers, dimple surface of loaf (pierce any bubbling with a knife tip to release air pockets). Scatter top of loaf with remaining blueberries and lemon sugar.  Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Slide focaccia onto a wire rack and cool slightly. Serve warm.

I also made a quick glaze from powdered sugar, lemon juice and a little milk.  I drizzled it on the focaccia after it had cooled a bit.  It was nice, but not necessary.