Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

If you’re looking to impress your friends and family with something both festive and delicious this holiday season, I’ve got you covered. This Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe isn’t just a feast for the eyes—it’s amazingly flavorful and surprisingly simple to make. Imagine a fluffy, olive oil-rich bread shaped like a Christmas tree, dotted with colorful toppings that double as decorations. Trust me, this recipe is a fan-freaking-tastic way to bring some homemade charm to your holiday table, and I’m so excited to share all the insider tips that make it turn out just right every time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the reasons I love this Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet they come together to create an irresistible bread with beautiful texture and flavor. You don’t need fancy or hard-to-find items, and the toppings let you get creative with what’s fresh.

• Bread Flour: Provides the perfect chewy structure for focaccia; higher protein means better gluten development.
• Active Dry Yeast: Use the correct amount to get that slow but lovely rise overnight—don’t substitute with instant.
• Coarse Salt: Essential for flavor and adds a nice finishing crunch when sprinkled on top.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast gently; I always check it’s neither too hot nor cold to avoid killing the yeast.
• Pear: The sweet slices create a lovely contrast and double as the “tree trunk” or “star” on top—adds a festive twist.
• Pearl Onions: When halved, they look like tiny white ornaments and add mild sweetness.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Halved, their vibrant red color mimics bright ornaments on the tree.
• Thinly Sliced Red Onion: Adds subtle sharpness and a bit of color variety.
• Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: My favorite “branches” that give the focaccia a wonderful savory aroma and festive feel.
• Plenty of Olive Oil: I’m generous here because a liberal drizzle keeps the focaccia golden, tender, and packed with flavor.

Variations

I’ve found this Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe is so versatile that I like to switch it up each year or depending on what’s in my fridge. Feel free to make it your own and embrace the joy of holiday creativity!

• Herb Variation: Sometimes I swap rosemary for thyme or a mix of fresh herbs to completely change the flavor profile.
• Veggie Swap: Use thin slices of bell peppers, olives, or even pomegranate seeds as “ornaments”—it’s always a fun surprise.
• Gluten-Free Version: I experimented with a gluten-free flour mix, but results vary—more trial might be needed for perfect texture.
• Cheesy Touch: Sprinkle shredded Parmesan or crumbled feta before baking for an extra savory twist that my family adores.

How to Make Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Let the Dough Rise Overnight

Start by combining your bread flour, yeast, and coarse salt in a large bowl. I like whisking them together so everything’s evenly distributed. Then slowly add the warm water. Using a wooden spoon, stir until the dough comes together in a shaggy, sticky mass. Don’t worry about kneading right now—it’s all about letting the yeast do its magic. Cover your bowl tightly with plastic wrap, then a kitchen towel, and leave it on the counter overnight for at least 12 hours. You’ll wake to a bubbly, beautifully risen dough that smells faintly yeasty and inviting.

Step 2: Shape, Oil, and Rest

In the morning, grab a casserole dish or baking tray (mine’s roughly 7×12 inches) and drizzle the bottom generously with olive oil. This helps the focaccia not stick and makes the bottom wonderfully crispy. Turn your dough out onto the oiled dish—go ahead and use your fingers to gently stretch and spread it to fill the pan snugly. Don’t worry if it tears a little; it’ll still bake up beautifully. Next, dimple the surface with your fingers—this creates those iconic focaccia pockets. Drizzle more olive oil on top, cover lightly, and let this rest for another two hours. This second rise gives you the perfect airy crumb you’ll love.

Step 3: Decorate Your Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia

This is the fun part! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Now decorate your dough in the shape of a Christmas tree. I usually use rosemary sprigs as branches because they fan out nicely and add that pine-tree aroma. For the trunk and topper, thin pear slices are my go-to. Cherry tomatoes look like bright ornaments, while halved pearl onions remind me of little snowy bulbs. The red onion slices can be twisted or layered for a little extra color depth. Don’t hesitate to get creative here—make it your own, and have fun designing your festive masterpiece before baking.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Delicious

Pop your decorated focaccia into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. You want the bread to puff up and turn a gorgeous golden brown, while the toppings bake in and get slightly caramelized. Keep an eye on it toward the end so those delicate herbs don’t burn. When it’s done, it’ll smell like a cozy holiday kitchen and be so pretty you might hesitate to eat it… but trust me, you’ll want to slice in right away.

Let it cool just a few minutes so it’s easier to handle, then slice and serve fresh out of the pan while still warm and fragrant.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing my Christmas tree focaccia with a flaky sea salt sprinkle and an extra drizzle of high-quality olive oil right after it comes out of the oven. Sometimes I add a little cracked black pepper for a subtle kick. For the tree topper, a tiny pear slice or a dash of chili flakes can add a nice visual and flavor pop. These little details really elevate the whole experience.

Side Dishes

When I serve this focaccia at holiday dinners or parties, I usually pair it with a bowl of warm marinara sauce or herbed olive oil for dipping. It also goes wonderfully alongside a fresh winter salad or a charcuterie board loaded with cheeses, cured meats, and olives. The bread’s richness complements those flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I brought this focaccia to a holiday brunch on a big wooden plank, surrounded by mini bowls of dipping oils and olives. The green rosemary branches and red tomato “ornaments” on the bread make for such a gift-like presentation that guests started snapping photos before digging in. You can also slice it into smaller triangles and serve it as festive finger food for a crowd—super practical and super cute!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which might be unlikely!), I recommend wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The focaccia will still be soft but won’t have quite the same freshly-baked crispness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen pieces of baked focaccia by wrapping them individually in foil and placing them in a freezer bag. When thawed overnight in the fridge and then reheated, the bread tastes almost as good as fresh! It’s a great way to prep ahead for big gatherings.

Reheating

To revive leftover or frozen focaccia, I pop slices into a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes. This crisps up the edges and refreshes that glorious olive oil aroma. Avoid microwaving if you want to maintain texture, as that can make it gummy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe enough if you want to blend tasty homemade bread with cheerful holiday spirit. It’s one of those recipes where the process is just as enjoyable as the result—waiting for the dough to rise overnight feels almost like a holiday ritual, and the decorating part is just pure fun. Whether it becomes your new family tradition or a festive appetizer for your next party, you’ll love how it brings smiles to the table and flavor to every bite. I hope you give it a try and enjoy making your own edible Christmas masterpiece this season!

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