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Festive Christmas Focaccia Bread – The Perfect Holiday Showstopper


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  • Author: Madilyn
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 45 min

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

68 sprigs fresh rosemary (for decoration)

½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 mini bell pepper, sliced (for the tree base)


Instructions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.)

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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!

  6. Bake
    Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp around the edges.

  7. 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.