Blueberry-Blackberry Herbed Focaccia

Blueberry-Blackberry Herbed Focaccia

Ingredients

• 1 package (2 1/4 tsp.) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water, 90-105 degrees Fahrenheit
• 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• About 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 3 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped and divided
• 3 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, chopped and divided
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Instructions

1. Add the yeast to the bowl of your stand mixer and pour the warm water on top. Let it sit for 5-8 minutes. Then add the milk, 1/4 cup of the olive oil, the kosher salt and 2 tsp. each of the rosemary and thyme. With the dough hook attachment, start mixing on low speed and gradually add in the 6 cups of flour. Once the flour is incorporated, beat on medium speed for about 10 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic. If your mixer can’t handle the job (the motor on mine starting seriously struggling about half way through!), you can knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured counter top.
2. Cover the dough loosely with a towel and let it rise at room temperature in the bowl of your mixer for about 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 hours. If your kitchen is chilly, find a warm spot in your house to let the dough rise. The dough should approximately double in size during this time.
3. Using about 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, grease a rimmed baking sheet. I used a 10 X 15-inch pan, but the original recipe calls for using a slightly larger pan (12 X 17-inch). If you use a larger pan, your focaccia will be a bit thinner than what’s pictured in my photos above.
4. Punch down the dough and transfer it to your greased baking sheet. Use your hands to push it into an even layer, pushing it all the way out to the rim. If the dough is especially springy, let it rest for about 10 minutes before continuing to stretch it out. Cover the dough loosely with a towel and let it rise for 45-60 minutes. Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees.
5. With your fingers, poke holes on the surface of the risen dough. Scatter the blueberries and the blackberries over the top of the dough, then drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the top. In a small bowl, combine the remaining herbs with the sugar, then sprinkle them evenly on top of the dough.
6. Transfer the focaccia to your pre-heat oven and bake until golden, about 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with the sea salt. Allow the focaccia to cool for about 15 minutes. Then use a large, wide spatula to loosen and slide the focaccia out onto a cutting board. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.