Cherry Focaccia Bread l A Sweet and Savory Temptation


After reading Decadence: Dessert, a book by Chef Philip Johnson, I couldn’t get out of my head one recipe. In fact it was right after reading this recipe that I realized how much I missed the taste of fresh cherries. This recipe goes under the name of: “Cherry Focaccia” and what especially caught my attention... the amazing combination of "Savory Italian Bread and Sweet Fresh Cherries". 

I think there's nothing better than the taste of homemade bread!


Of course this always requires a little bit of effort and patience, especially if you kneed by hand –like me—but like all things in life, at the end of the process, "The Reward" of a soft slice of warm bread fresh from the oven, make you feel joyful in the heart and connected with the simple needs of life; like love and food.  
So, I made this Cherry Focaccia Bread yesterday--Luckily for me, I live just down the street from a nice produce market, so I was able to get fresh cherries in no time. 


And I have to say ...I couldn’t be happier, after tasting the first slice!!! 
 

This bread has an incredible flavor and soft texture, impossible to resists. Simply Delicious!!! 

Although in the original version, the recipe called for thyme herb leaves for the focaccia seasoning,I preferred using dry sage leaves instead-- one of my favorite herbs-- which to my taste I think it has a much sweeter and fruitier aroma that it complements this bread much better. It is a fine -tasty bread that could be part of an indulgent breakfast, picnic or rustic dessert


If you never tasted Cherry Focaccia Bread before, I invite you to try this recipe.

It will not disappoint you! 



 Cherry Focaccia Bread
adapted from the book Decadence: Dessert 
by Chef Philip Johnson

530 gr/ 1 lb. 7 oz. All-purpose flour/ Plain flour
1 ½ Tbsp. dry yeast or 20 gr fresh yeast

1 tsp. salt
350 ml / 12 oz. warm water
80 ml / 5 1/2 Tbsp. extra virgin oil 
400 gr / 14 oz. Cherries, pitted and cut in half
Extra oil for drizzling
2 ½ Tbsp. dry Sage leaves
55 gr / ¼ C. Caster Sugar
Icing Sugar/ Confectioner’s Sugar for Dusting

Preparation:
In a bowl add flour, yeast and salt. Make a well in the centre and gradually incorporated the water and the oil. Combine all ingredients using your hands and knead on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to raise for 15-20 minutes --leave in a warm place-- or until double the size. 


When ready place the dough on a floured surface and knock down. Transfer into a greased baking pan, add the cherries –using your finger to press in the cherries—Set aside and let it rise one more time --in a warm draft-free place—for 15 more minutes. Preheat oven to 220 C / 425 F. Drizzle the dough with oil and sprinkle with the sugar and dry Sage leaves. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.Serve warm and dust with icing sugar. 



Note:
*Leftovers could be wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator.

17 comments

  1. Thanks for visiting my blog, i love your blog,and this cherry bread looks awesome
    Amalia

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  2. Amalia-I'm glad you liked it! :)

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  3. I love Cherries and I love focaccia, and this looks totally mouth watering! Can't wait to try this recipe. Great!

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  4. Gracias por tu comentario en el blog ...estoy mirando lo que haces y se ve exquisito ...alguna receta la traduciré y seguro que la haré

    saludos desde Extremadura

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  5. Que lindas recetas tienes, me gusta mucho tu blog
    saludos
    Gaby

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  6. que deliciad de focaccia, y encima con cerezas con lo que me gustan, tiene una pinta deliciosa, te felicito, besitos desde londres

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  7. Quicks- I love cherries too, and let me know how this recipe turns out!
    Cheers :)

    Mirian: que gusto, gracias :) Te cuento que estoy traduciendo muchas de mis recetas al español, puedes verlas debajo de cada receta en ingles con el titulo:en español.Saluditos

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  8. Gaby- Hola que gusto tenerte de nuevo por aqui! Abrazos :)

    Pity- Como estas? Si, a mi tambien me gustan demasiado las cerezas. Te cuento que esta focaccia es muy sabrosa,si la haces cuentame como te quedo, Besitos :)

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  9. Hello There:
    I love this cherry focaccia it looks Deliciously good.I'm definitely trying this recipe.

    Have a good day! :)

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  10. Me encanta esta focaccia! Desde hace mucho tengo en mente una focaccia con cerezas, y mira dónde la encuentro. Extraordinario!!! Gracias por tu visita. Tu blog es fantástico, me ha gustado mucho. Me quedaré por aquí a seguirte.
    un abrazo fuerte,

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  11. Wendy- Thanks! I'm happy you like the focaccia.And yes, it is very yumm. Cheers!

    Hilmar- Gracias! me alegro que te haya gustado, Saluditos :)

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  12. Awesome looking bread! Love your blog - so inviting to see someone else out there that has such a huge passion for food!
    Happy baking!
    LeeYong rolfmester@yahoo.com

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  13. Lee, Nice to meet you! Thanks for your lovely words. Much appreciated:)

    Cheers, Aldy.

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  14. Querida Aldi,

    Al mirar la foto, pensé que era un clafoutis, pero veo que me equivoqué...Qué bueno!! jamas probé una focaccia asi, asi que tengo una muy buena razon para meter "las manos en la masa"....

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  15. @Cristina, Si se le parece...pero es focaccia :) Me alegro muchooooo que te haya gustado!

    Abrazos,

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  16. That focaccia is splendid and very tempting!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  17. Te escribo desde Buenos Aires, Argentina. Esta receta es fantástica.
    La hago muy pronto, muchas gracias por compartirla

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