Cherry Focaccia combines the rich, airy texture of classic Italian focaccia with bursts of sweet-tart cherries, flaky sea salt, and fragrant thyme. The dough is soft and chewy with a crisp golden crust, thanks to plenty of olive oil and a long, slow rise that develops deep flavor and structure.
As the focaccia bakes, the cherries soften and collapse slightly into the dough, releasing their juices into the crisp dimples across the surface. A final drizzle of honey adds gentle sweetness that balances beautifully with the savory olive oil, flaky salt, and fresh thyme.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Sweet, Savory, and Perfectly Golden
Soft focaccia with a crisp olive oil crust
Sweet cherries balance beautifully with flaky salt
Honey and thyme add layered flavor
Long fermentation creates airy texture
Great for entertaining or sharing
Delicious served warm or at room temperature
Cherry Focaccia with Honey & Thyme
Erin McNaught
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Bread
Cuisine
Italian
Servings
8
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
This Cherry Focaccia combines airy focaccia bread with sweet cherries, honey, thyme, and flaky sea salt for a beautifully balanced bake.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the bread flour, room-temperature water, and half of the sugar. Mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.
Whisk together the warm water, yeast, and remaining sugar in a small bowl. Let stand until foamy.
Add the yeast mixture to the dough and mix until absorbed. Add the kosher salt and knead until the dough becomes very elastic and sticky.
Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover loosely, and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 1/2 hours.
Transfer the dough to an oiled rimmed baking sheet and gently stretch it toward the corners. If the dough springs back, let it rest before stretching again.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
One hour before baking, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it warm slightly.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Drizzle the dough with olive oil and use oiled fingertips to press deep dimples across the surface.
Arrange the cherries evenly across the dough and sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until deeply golden brown and the cherries have softened.
Cool slightly before drizzling with honey and finishing with fresh thyme.
Recipe Note
Recipe FAQ
Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes. Thawed frozen cherries work well in this recipe.
Why refrigerate the dough?
Cold fermentation develops flavor and improves texture.
What does honey add to the focaccia?
Honey balances the savory olive oil and flaky salt with gentle sweetness.
Why dimple the dough?
Dimples help create focaccia’s signature texture while holding olive oil and toppings.
Can I serve focaccia at room temperature?
Yes. It’s excellent warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Highlights & Insights
Long fermentation improves flavor and structure
Olive oil creates a crisp golden crust
Sweet cherries contrast with savory herbs and salt
Deep dimpling creates classic focaccia texture
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