Blueberry Focaccia


Blueberry Focaccia

This delicious blueberry pastry is perfect any time of day! Try it for breakfast, a morning snack, lunch,an afternoon snack, dinner, dessert, or even for a late night snack.

Serves 12
Recipe and photo from Woman's Day 7.7.09
INGREDIENTS:
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp grated lemon zest
3 to 3½ cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (¼ oz) rapid-rise active dry yeast
3/4  tsp salt
1¼ cups whole milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½  stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter, softened
2    cups blueberries

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 microwave on high 1½ minutes, or until

temperature registers 130ºF 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 ½ 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 ¼ in thick. Scatter with half the blueberries and half of the remaining

lemon sugar. On floured surface, pat out and stratch 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 350ºF. 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.