of Food and Friends: Its Still Cherry Month

Even though Valentines Day is past, I think it is still Cherry Month! Those red, delicious fruits can be enjoyed anytime, but in February I think of Presidents' Day, Valentines Day, and baking pies and coffeecakes. February is actually declared National Cherry Month and also celebrates National Cherry Blossom Festival which commemorates the 3000 cherry trees from the people of Japan to the people of the United States. I've never been in Washington D.C. to see the 3000 cherry trees in bloom, but I'm sure it is a beautiful sight.

My folks had a cherry tree, but as with many fruit trees in our part of Kansas, there were more no-fruit years than years we had cherries. I remember going back to the home place one year and picking cherries. After several hours of picking I had a medium sized bowl with enough cherries for one pie! If you want to grow cherries well, you should live in Michigan. 75% of the tart cherries produced in the United States are grown in Michigan. 70 % of all the cherries, both sweet and tart, produced in the U.S. come from four states - Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. Did you notice none of those states have our hot Kansas summers or perhaps our unpredictable springs with yo-yo weather?

An interesting fact I found: At one time it was illegal to serve ice cream on cherry pie in Kansas!

The newest recipe I tried combines many of my favorites: yeast bread, chocolate, and cherries. I served it at our Morning Circle UMW this morning and it will become a repeat recipe. The dough is soft and sticky so I was glad it didn't need to be kneaded by hand, but is kneaded in the mixer with the dough hook. After rolling it out, cut into halves and cut each half into 18 pieces to roll into dough balls. It was surprising how easy this went together. I did find that it needed more baking time, about 50 minutes instead of 30-35. Check the internal temperature with a food thermometer to be sure of doneness, it should be 195-210 degrees for yeast breads.

Chocolate Cherry Pull Apart Bread

Ingredinets:

2 ¼ tsp (one package, ¼ oz) yeast (Red Star Platinum)

¾ cup warm milk (110-115 degrees)

¼ cup warm water (110-115 degrees)

1 tsp sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened

¼ cup sugar

3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt

1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

4 oz chopped dark chocolate (I used Hersey’s Dark Chocolate Chips)

Instructions

Combine milk, water and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl or 2 cup measuring cup. Sprinkle with yeast, Stir until fully dissolved. Let sit for about 10 minutes until it begins to foam.

Using a stand mixer fitted with flat paddle attachment, pour water/yeast mixture into mixing bowl. Add egg, butter and ¼ cup sugar. Mix on medium speed just until combined, about 1 minute. Add 3 cups all-purpose flour. Mix until fully combined. Scrape down sides of bowl. Switch to dough hook. Knead on medium speed for 3-5 minutes. Add in additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary until dough comes together. Dough should stick to bottom of bowl but mostly clear the sides. Dough will be slightly sticky and soft.

Using a spatula scrape dough into a greased bowl. Turn once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.

Meanwhile grease a bundt pan with baking spray . Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Press dough down gently. On a floured surface roll dough into a 20x12-inch rectangle. Cut dough in half. Cut each half into approximately 18 equal pieces. You will have a total of 36 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball using the palms of your hand. Layer half of the dough balls evenly in the bottom of the pan. Top with half of cherry pie filling. Sprinkle with half of chocolate chunks. Repeat by layering half of dough balls, remaining cherry pie filling and finish with chocolate chunks. Bake 30-35 minutes (or longer) until puffed and golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Invert pan onto a large pate. Add another large plate on top. Invert back to have cherry and chocolate facing up. Allow to cool for another 15 minutes before serving.