why make this recipe
Christmas Tree Focaccia is a delightful and festive bread that not only tastes great but also looks stunning on your holiday table. It brings a touch of creativity and joy to your holiday meals. Shaping the focaccia like a Christmas tree is fun, and you can customize it with your favorite toppings. It’s a perfect project for families to do together and a great way to impress your guests during the holiday season.
how to make Christmas Tree Focaccia
Ingredients:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 tsp coarse salt
- 1 2/3rd cup warm water
- Pear
- Pearl onions
- Cherry tomatoes
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Coarse salt
- Plenty of olive oil (a few Tbs.)
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Whisk until combined, then add the warm water.
- Using a wooden spoon, stir the dough together until it’s shaggy and wet. This is perfect!
- Cover it with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel and let it sit on the counter overnight, at least 12 hours.
- The next day, grab a casserole dish (about 7×12 inches) and drizzle a decent amount of oil on the bottom.
- Uncover the bread bowl and check the dough. It should be risen, bubbly, and beautiful.
- Tip the dough out of the bowl and into the casserole dish. Spread it with your hands to fit the dish snugly, then dimple it with your fingers and drizzle with more oil.
- Let this sit, lightly covered, for two more hours.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Now, let’s build the tree! Use the rosemary as the tree branches, fanning them out in certain places.
- Take a small piece of pear for the tree base. Slice your cherry tomatoes in half to create little “ornaments.” Do the same with the pearl onions by peeling and slicing them in half. You can even slice a little more pear for the tree topper. Get creative!
- Once you’ve decorated your tree the way you like it, sprinkle with a little bit of coarse salt and bake for 25 minutes, until the bread is puffed and golden, and the toppings are set. The sight is so pretty!
- Let it rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve!
how to serve Christmas Tree Focaccia
Serve your Christmas Tree Focaccia warm or at room temperature. It makes a great snack or a side dish for a holiday meal. You can also pair it with dips or spreads, like olive oil or balsamic vinegar, to enhance its flavors.
how to store Christmas Tree Focaccia
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also wrap it well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, slice and freeze the focaccia for up to 3 months. Just reheat it in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
tips to make Christmas Tree Focaccia
- Ensure your water is warm but not hot; it should feel comfortable to the touch.
- Don’t rush the rising times; let the dough develop flavors overnight and again before baking.
- Be creative with toppings; you can add olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or any veggies you like.
- Drizzle the focaccia with extra virgin olive oil before serving for added flavor.
variation
You can change the shape to something else for different occasions, like a wreath or a star. Feel free to use different herbs or toppings that suit your taste!
FAQs
Q: Can I make the dough in advance?
A: Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise overnight.
Q: Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
A: Yes, all-purpose flour can be used, but the texture may be slightly different and less chewy.
Q: How do I know when the focaccia is done?
A: The focaccia is done when it’s puffed up and golden brown. You can tap the bottom; it should sound hollow.
Christmas Tree Focaccia
Ingredients
For the bread dough
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 tsp coarse salt
- 1 2/3 cups warm water Warm but not hot
For decoration
- 1 Pear For tree base and topper
- 1 Pearl onions Halved for ornaments
- 1 Cherry tomatoes Halved for ornaments
- 1 medium Thinly sliced red onion
- few sprigs Fresh rosemary For decoration
- to taste tsp Coarse salt For sprinkling on top
- a few Tbs. Plenty of olive oil For drizzling
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Whisk until combined.
- Add the warm water and stir the dough together with a wooden spoon until it’s shaggy and wet.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel and let it sit on the counter overnight, for at least 12 hours.
Shape the Focaccia
- The next day, drizzle oil in a casserole dish (about 7x12 inches).
- Uncover the dough; it should be risen, bubbly, and beautiful.
- Tip the dough into the casserole dish, spreading it with your hands to fit snugly. Dimple it with fingers and drizzle more oil on top.
- Let it sit, lightly covered, for two more hours.
Bake the Focaccia
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Decorate the dough using rosemary as branches, pear for the base, halved cherry tomatoes, and pearl onions as ornaments.
- Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake for 25 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Let it rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.
