Dried Fruit Focaccia Recipes

DRIED CHERRY FOCACCIA (FROM ECCE PANIS)

Steps:

• Combine the cherries and raisins in a deep bowl, barely cover with water and soak for two to three hours, or until plumped. Drain well, reserving one and a quarter cups of the soaking water, and spread the fruit on paper towels to dry off a bit.
• Combine one cup of the reserved soaking water with the honey and place in the freezer until very cold; a few ice crystals are all right.
• Put the remaining quarter-cup of soaking water in the medium-sized bowl of an electric mixer and add the yeast. When the yeast dissolves and foams, stir in the chilled soaking water, orange zest and salt. If using a heavy-duty mixer with a dough hook, add three-and-a-quarter cups of flour. If using a household mixer with two beaters, add three-and-a-half cups of flour.
• Beat the dough on low speed until very elastic, smooth and shiny, forming a single mass around the beater. This will take 12 to 20 minutes depending on the mixer. The dough will eventually climb the beaters of household machines and must be pushed down repeatedly with a wooden spoon. When ready, it will be soft, wet and slightly sticky.
• Remove the beaters and knead in the butter by hand, then knead in the drained fruits. Put the dough in a lightly buttered shallow bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least eight hours but preferably overnight. Dough may be held for 36 hours before the next step.
• Line a large flat pan or two cookie sheets with parchment and sprinkle generously with cornmeal. Divide the dough into two rounds and roll each on a lightly floured board until three-eighths-of-an-inch thick. Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheet and allow them to rise, covered with plastic wrap, until they are puffy and hold an impression when dented with a fingertip, about an hour. Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks with the cream and set aside.
• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Use the fingertips to gently pockmark the surfaces of the rounds, then brush with the glaze and sprinkle with sugar. There may be glaze left over.
• Bake for 10 minutes, reduce the heat to 375 and bake 20 to 30 minutes more, or until richly browned. Invert on racks to cool, then turn glaze side up and dust with confectioners' sugar.

DRIED CHERRY AND GOLDEN RAISIN SWEET FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the cherries, the raisins and the water, let the fruit soak for 10 minutes, or until it is softened, and drain the mixture, reserving 1 cup of the liquid. In a small saucepan heat the reserved liquid over low heat until it is lukewarm. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment proof the yeast with the granulated sugar in the warm liquid for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is foamy, add the flour, the salt, 1/4 cup of the brown sugar, the cinnamon, and the butter, and combine the dough well. Knead the dough with the dough hook for 2 minutes, or until it is soft and slightly sticky, transfer it to a lightly floured surface, and knead in the fruit mixture, patted dry, until it is incorporated thoroughly. Form the dough into a ball, transfer it to an oiled bowl, and turn it to coat it with the oil. Let the dough rise, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours, or until it is double in bulk. The dough may be made up to this point, punched down, and kept, covered and chilled, overnight. Let the dough return to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe. Press the dough evenly into an oiled jelly-roll pan, 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 1 inches, and let it rise, covered loosely, in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it is almost double in bulk.
• Dimple the dough, making 1/4-inch-deep indentations with your fingertips, and sprinkle it with the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar. Bake the focaccia in the bottom third of a preheated 400°F. for 30 to 35 minutes, or until it is golden brown, let it cool in the pan on a rack, and serve it warm or at room temperature.