Poppy's Pull Apart Cheesy Focaccia

Poppy's Pull Apart Cheesy Focaccia

This pull apart focaccia is everything we love about homemade bread... crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy in the middle, with pockets of melted cheddar and our much-loved Poppy's Favourite Dressing in every bite.

As it bakes, the dressing soaks into the scored dough, creating bursts of sweet, tangy flavour that pair perfectly with the rich cheddar and golden crust. It's the ultimate side for soups, shared platters or simply enjoyed warm straight from the oven. Trust us, this one won't last long!

Recipe developed by Romy, Fast Slow Sourdough.

Ingredients

  • 500g flour
  • 350g water
  • 125g active starter (leaven)
  • 10g salt
  • 1.5 cups grated cheddar cheese (1 cup for folding and 1/2 cup for topping)
  • 3 tbsp Rich Glen Poppy's Favourite Dressing
  • 2 tbsp Rich Glen Signature extra virgin olive oil (for the dish)
  • 1 tsp flaky salt to top

Directions

  1. Add water to a large mixing bowl, followed by the starter. Mix gently to combine. Add flour and mix well to form a loose dough. Rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Add salt and mix until fully combined.
  3. Over the next 2 hours, perform 3–4 sets of stretch and folds, roughly 30 minutes apart.
  4. Rest on the benchtop for 1 hour, loosely covered, then refrigerate overnight.
  5. At least 2 hours before baking, drizzle a large baking tray with olive oil, then place the dough on top, stretching it out slightly and pressing down to flatten. Sprinkle over 1 cup of the cheddar and fold once to incorporate. Leave to proof for 2–4 hours, until the dough expands to fill the tray and becomes bubbly and puffy. The time will depend on the temperature of your house and you can speed this up by placing it in a warm spot.
  6. Preheat oven to 220°C.
  7. Using a dough blade or sharp knife, score the dough diagonally in one direction and then the other to create diamond shaped sections. Spoon Poppy's Favourite Dressing into the channels, then top with the remaining cheddar, pressing it gently into the scores with your fingertips.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until deep golden and bubbling. If your scores don't appear deep enough you can remove from the oven after 10 minutes of baking time, and quickly re-score over the same cuts using a sharp knife, before placing back in the oven for the remaining cooking time. 
  9. Allow to cool slightly and pull apart to enjoy.

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