Chocolate Focaccia

I had leftover Halloween candy, and a sourdough starter that wanted to be used I decided to make a chocolate focaccia.

Ingredients:

• 8 1/2 ounces sourdough starter, fed or unfed
• 7 ounces lukewarm water 
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  
• 12.75 ounces All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon cooca powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
  
• 16 ounces chocolate pieces (such as left over Halloween candy, diced) 
• 1 tablespoon sparkling sugar (big crystals, such as sugar in the raw) - optional
  

 

Instructions:

1. Combine starter, sugar, and water in stand mixer bowl. Mix in yeast, and let proof for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt, and powdered milk together.
3. Stir in melted butter into yeast mixture,
4. Knead in 1 cup of flour mix at a time into the wet ingredients.
5. Knead for 4 minutes to make a smooth, soft dough. (My dough was very soft, but not very sticky)
   
6. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, and let it rise for 1 hour.
   
   
   
   
7. Using cooking spray, lightly grease an 18" x 13" rimmed baking sheet (half-sheet pan). 
8. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil atop the spray; the spray keeps the bread from sticking, the olive oil gives the bottom crust crunch and flavor.
9. Press the dough out onto a flat surface. Scatter 2/3 of the chocolate pieces over half of the dough, then flop the untopped half over the topped half.
   
10. Move the dough into the pan, pat out to fill pan.
11. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate pieces over the dough. Dimple the dough with your fingers.
    
    
    
    
12. Allow the dough to rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat to 425º during last 15 minutes.
13. Optionally, sprinkle dough with sparkling sugar.
    
14. Bake the bread for about 25 minutes. 
15. Remove from oven, let cool for 5 to 10 minutes on a rack.
16. Using a couple of large spatulas, move the bread from the pan to a cutting board. 
    
17. Slice into 3 x 3 inch pieces. (Depending on size, makes about 24 pieces)

Carole's Notes:

Ok, we both really like this! The focaccia part is soft and fluffy, there is plenty of chocolate bits. Note: the Peppermint Patties are delicious if you like them (we do), but may dominate an individual piece.

The recipe was lightly adapted from my  Chocolate Cherry Focaccia with some ideas from https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/262811/no-knead-chocolate-focaccia-recipe-artisan-sourdough-made-simple/