Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe
When the holidays come around, we all look for special treats to share with family and friends. One dish that stands out is Christmas Tree Focaccia. This bread not only tastes great, but it also adds a festive touch to any table. Its beautiful design and delicious flavors will surely impress your guests. Making this focaccia is simple and fun, perfect for adding a little cheer to your December gatherings.
Why Make This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to make Christmas Tree Focaccia. First, the delicious flavors of bread topped with fresh ingredients such as pears, cherry tomatoes, and rosemary are both festive and refreshing. It’s a unique twist on classic bread that will make everyone smile. The shape also brings a fun aspect to your holiday celebrations.
Another reason to try this recipe is its ease of preparation. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a centerpiece for your holiday table that looks like it came from a bakery. In addition, the dough rises overnight, allowing you to prepare everything in advance. This frees up your time on busy holiday days so you can focus on other cooking or spending time with loved ones.
Finally, baking this focaccia provides a wonderful opportunity for bonding. People young and old can join in. Children can help shape the dough or decorate it. This way, everyone can feel part of the celebration. Making memory-filled moments with your loved ones is what the holidays are all about.
How to Make Christmas Tree Focaccia
Making Christmas Tree Focaccia requires making the dough from scratch, letting it rise, and then adding delicious toppings. Here are detailed instructions on how to create this festive bread.
Ingredients
To make Christmas Tree Focaccia, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 tsp coarse salt
- 1 2/3 cup warm water
- 1 Pear, diced
- Pearl onions, peeled and halved
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Coarse salt for sprinkling
- Plenty of olive oil (a few tablespoons)
Directions
Here is how to make your Christmas Tree Focaccia:
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, active dry yeast, and coarse salt. Mix them well.
Add Water: Slowly add the warm water to the dry ingredients while mixing. Stir until all the elements come together and form a sticky dough.
Let the Dough Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Leave the bowl at room temperature overnight. This allows the dough to rise and develop flavor.
Prepare the Baking Dish: The next day, lightly oil a casserole dish. This prevents the dough from sticking. Transfer the risen dough into the dish. With your fingers, shape the dough gently to fill the dish.
Create Dimples: Use your fingers to make dimples all over the top of the dough. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over the surface. Sprinkle coarse salt on top as well. Let the dough rest for another two hours. This rest allows the dough to puff up.
Preheat the Oven: About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This way, it will be ready for the focaccia.
Add Decorations: Once the dough has rested, it’s time to decorate your focaccia. Place the diced pear, halved pearl onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion on top. Arrange them to resemble a Christmas tree, and add fresh rosemary sprigs for the branches.
Bake the Focaccia: Place the casserole dish in the oven. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the focaccia turns golden brown and smells delicious.
Cool and Serve: Take the focaccia out of the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. This will make it easier to serve.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Focaccia
When the Christmas Tree Focaccia is done baking, it makes a cheerful addition to any holiday meal. You can serve it warm or at room temperature. For a lovely presentation, slice it into squares or triangles. Place it on a festive platter in the center of your dining table.
This bread pairs wonderfully with olive oil for dipping. You can also serve it alongside soups or salads, making it a versatile dish. If you want, consider adding a sprinkle of extra fresh herbs on top before serving to enhance its aroma and look.
How to Store Christmas Tree Focaccia
If you have leftover focaccia, you can store it easily. Allow the focaccia to cool completely first. Once cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can keep it at room temperature for up to two days.
For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it. To freeze, wrap the focaccia tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a resealable freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in the oven for the best texture.
Tips to Make Christmas Tree Focaccia
Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the taste. Fresh rosemary and ripe pears will make a big difference.
Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to change the decorations on your focaccia! Use other vegetables like bell peppers or olives for a different flavor.
Perfect Your Dimples: Making dimples in the dough helps it rise and creates pockets for olive oil and salt. Don’t worry about making them perfect—this is part of the charm!
Hydration Matters: The dough should be sticky when you mix it. Don’t add extra flour if it seems too wet. This moisture helps keep the focaccia soft.
Resting is Key: Allowing the dough to rise overnight and resting before baking helps develop flavor and texture. Don’t rush this process.
Variation
You can create variations of Christmas Tree Focaccia to suit your preferences. For a cheesy delight, top the focaccia with mozzarella or goat cheese before baking. You can also experiment with different herbs, such as thyme or oregano, which will change the flavor profile.
Consider adding nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the toppings for an extra crunch. If you’re feeling adventurous, try changing the shapes entirely—create a wreath or other festive forms using the same dough.
FAQs
1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, you can use all-purpose flour, but bread flour gives a better texture and chewiness. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which helps the dough rise higher and create a sturdier bread.
2. How can I tell if my dough has risen enough?
Your dough should double in size and feel airy. If you gently poke it with your finger, the indentation should remain. If the dough springs back quickly, it may need a bit more time.
3. Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can make the dough a day before you plan to bake it. Just allow it to rise overnight in the fridge. Bring it back to room temperature before shaping and decorating for baking.
Making Christmas Tree Focaccia is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season. With its beautiful design and delightful taste, it’s sure to bring joy to your table. Enjoy making this recipe with your family and friends this holiday season!
Christmas Tree Focaccia
Ingredients
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, active dry yeast, and coarse salt. Mix them well.
- Slowly add the warm water to the dry ingredients while mixing. Stir until all elements come together and form a sticky dough.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Leave the bowl at room temperature overnight.
- The next day, lightly oil a casserole dish and transfer the risen dough into it. Shape the dough gently to fill the dish.
- Use your fingers to make dimples all over the top of the dough. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over the surface and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Let the dough rest for another two hours.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) about 30 minutes before baking.
- Decorate your focaccia with diced pear, halved pearl onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion arranged to resemble a Christmas tree, adding fresh rosemary sprigs for decoration.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until the focaccia turns golden brown.
- Let the focaccia cool slightly before slicing.