Description
This Festive Christmas Focaccia is fluffy, golden, and beautifully decorated with fresh rosemary and cherry tomatoes in the shape of a Christmas tree. It’s ready in under 3 hours, simple to make, and guaranteed to impress your holiday guests!
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups lukewarm water (not hot)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3 ½ cups all-purpose or bread flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
½ cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
6–8 sprigs fresh rosemary (for decoration)
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 mini bell pepper, sliced (for the tree base)
Instructions
-
Activate the Yeast
Pour lukewarm water into a measuring cup and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. -
Mix the Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, salt, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and the yeast-water mixture. Mix on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until the dough forms and pulls away from the sides.(No mixer? Simply knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.)
-
Let It Rise
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil on the bottom. Place the dough in the dish and turn it once to coat with oil.
Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 60–90 minutes, until doubled in size and puffy. -
Prepare for Baking
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has risen, gently press your fingertips into the dough to create dimples. Drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle generously with kosher salt. -
Decorate the Focaccia
Arrange the rosemary sprigs into the shape of a Christmas tree. Add cherry tomatoes as ornaments and a slice of mini bell pepper as the tree trunk. Feel free to get creative with the decorations! -
Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp around the edges. -
Cool and Serve
Allow the focaccia to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Always check that your yeast is active. If it doesn’t foam after 5–10 minutes, it’s expired.
- For an even more festive touch, drizzle with garlic-infused olive oil before serving.
- Focaccia tastes best fresh out of the oven but can be gently reheated in the oven for a few minutes to bring back its crisp texture.