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Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 124 reviews

Celebrate the holidays with this festive Christmas Tree Focaccia, a savory and visually stunning bread decorated with fresh rosemary, pears, cherry tomatoes, pearl onions, and coarse salt. This easy-to-make dough requires an overnight rise and a final bake to create a golden, aromatic loaf perfect for holiday gatherings or as a beautiful appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 1/4 tsp coarse salt
  • 1 2/3 cup warm water
  • Olive oil (a few tablespoons for mixing and drizzling)

Decorations

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Pear slices (for tree base and topper)
  • Pearl onions, peeled and halved
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • Coarse salt for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, active dry yeast, and coarse salt until combined. Add the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together in a shaggy, wet mass. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest on the counter overnight for at least 12 hours.
  2. Prepare the dough next day: Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil into a casserole dish (about 7 x 12 inches). Uncover the rested dough; it should be risen, bubbly, and fragrant. Tip the dough out into the casserole dish and use your hands to spread it snugly into the shape of the dish. Press your fingers into the dough to create dimples, then drizzle more olive oil over the surface. Cover lightly and let it proof for another 2 hours.
  3. Preheat oven and decorate: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange your festive decorations to resemble a Christmas tree on top of the dough. Use fresh rosemary sprigs for branches, lay pear slices as the tree trunk and topper, and place halved cherry tomatoes and pearl onions as colorful ornaments. Feel free to use thinly sliced red onions or other toppings creatively.
  4. Bake the focaccia: Sprinkle a bit of coarse salt over the decorated dough and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the bread has puffed up, turned golden brown, and the toppings have set beautifully.
  5. Cool and serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature as a festive centerpiece appetizer or snack.

Notes

  • The dough requires an overnight rise for the best flavor and texture, so plan ahead.
  • Use fresh, fragrant rosemary sprigs for a beautiful and aromatic ‘tree’.
  • You can customize the decorations with any colorful vegetables or herbs resembling Christmas ornaments.
  • Be generous with olive oil to keep the focaccia moist and flavorful.
  • Serve the focaccia warm or at room temperature for best taste.

Keywords: Christmas tree focaccia, festive bread, rosemary focaccia, holiday appetizer, Italian bread, decorative focaccia

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/christmas-tree-focaccia-recipe/