Christmas Tree Focaccia

The aroma of fresh Christmas Tree Focaccia baking in your oven is enough to instantly transport you to holiday bliss. This festive bread combines the rustic charm of traditional Italian focaccia with the magical spirit of Christmas, creating both a showstopping centerpiece and a delicious treat your family will gather around. The crispy, herb-studded exterior gives way to a pillowy, olive oil-infused interior that’s simply irresistible. You’ll learn how to shape, decorate, and bake this holiday masterpiece that’s as fun to create as it is to devour.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Tree Focaccia isn’t just bread—it’s an edible holiday decoration that doubles as a delicious appetizer or side dish. The contrast between the crunchy, golden exterior and the soft, airy crumb creates a textural adventure in every bite. The vibrant toppings not only create a festive Christmas tree design but add bursts of flavor throughout.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and forgiving nature. Even novice bakers can achieve impressive results, as the dough is remarkably easy to handle. The olive oil-enriched base provides the perfect canvas for your creativity, allowing you to customize the “decorations” based on your taste preferences or what you have in your pantry.

Best of all, the Christmas Tree Focaccia serves as both a fun holiday activity and a memorable addition to your feast. The process of decorating the tree becomes a tradition itself, one that family members of all ages can participate in together.

Ingredients

For the focaccia dough:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
• 1½ cups (355ml) warm water (110°F/43°C)
• ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 2 teaspoons (12g) salt
• 2 teaspoons (4g) sugar

For the Christmas tree decorations:

• 1 small red bell pepper, sliced into strips
• ½ cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup (30g) black olives, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary sprigs
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, cut into a star shape
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
• 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves
• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

The extra virgin olive oil is crucial here—use the best quality you can afford as it significantly impacts the flavor of your Christmas Tree Focaccia. Fresh herbs create the authentic “pine needle” effect that makes this bread truly festive.

Pro Tips

Develop the gluten properly: When mixing your Christmas Tree Focaccia dough, don’t rush the process. After combining ingredients, knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough passes the “window pane test”—when you can stretch a small piece thin enough to see light through without tearing. This ensures your bread will have that perfect chewy interior.

Master the dimpling technique: The signature focaccia texture comes from proper dimpling. After shaping your Christmas tree, use your fingertips to create deep indentations all over the dough. This isn’t just decorative—these dimples hold the olive oil and create the bread’s characteristic texture contrast. Press firmly but not so hard that you tear through to the baking sheet.

Allow for proper proofing: The secret to airy, flavorful Christmas Tree Focaccia is patience during proofing. After shaping, let the dough rest for 30-45 minutes in a warm spot. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks slightly puffed and a gentle finger poke leaves an indentation that slowly springs back about halfway. Under-proofed focaccia will be dense, while over-proofed will collapse during baking.

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the yeast
In a large bowl, combine warm water and sugar, then sprinkle the yeast over top. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This indicates your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic in your Christmas Tree Focaccia.

Step 2: Mix the dough
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the yeast mixture, then gradually incorporate the flour and salt. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. You’ll feel the dough transform under your hands, becoming less sticky and more cohesive.

Step 3: First rise
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size. The dough should look puffy and feel light when you gently poke it.

Step 4: Shape the tree
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently deflate the dough and transfer it to the prepared sheet. Using your hands, shape the dough into a triangular Christmas tree form with a small rectangle at the bottom for the trunk. Don’t worry about perfection—rustic looks more authentic!

Step 5: Second rise and dimple
Cover loosely and let rise for another 30-45 minutes. When ready, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and use your fingertips to create deep dimples all over the surface of your Christmas Tree Focaccia.

Step 6: Decorate your tree
Arrange your toppings to create a festive design: rosemary sprigs as pine needles, cherry tomato halves as ornaments, olive slices as garlands, and the yellow pepper star at the top. Press toppings gently into the dough so they adhere during baking.

Step 7: Bake
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Sprinkle the decorated dough with flaky sea salt and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Your kitchen will fill with the intoxicating aroma of fresh Christmas Tree Focaccia as it bakes.

Variations

Sweet Christmas Tree Focaccia: Transform this into a dessert by omitting the savory herbs and using dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and a light sprinkle of sugar instead. After baking, drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. This sweet version of Christmas Tree Focaccia makes a wonderful breakfast treat on Christmas morning.

Mediterranean Christmas Tree: Enhance the Italian roots of this bread by decorating with sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese crumbles, and kalamata olives. Add a sprinkle of za’atar or Italian seasoning to the dough for an herbal flavor boost. This variation complements Mediterranean-inspired holiday meals beautifully.

Garlic and Herb Version: For garlic lovers, mix 4 minced garlic cloves with the olive oil before dimpling the dough. Use fresh basil leaves, oregano, and thyme as your decorations along with small pieces of roasted red pepper. This aromatic Christmas Tree Focaccia pairs wonderfully with pasta dishes.

Storage and Serving

Your Christmas Tree Focaccia is best enjoyed fresh, within hours of baking when the contrast between the crisp exterior and soft interior is at its peak. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To refresh, simply warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes.

For serving, this festive bread makes a stunning centerpiece for your holiday table. Present it whole to wow your guests before slicing. Serve alongside a small bowl of high-quality olive oil mixed with balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs for dipping.

The Christmas Tree Focaccia pairs beautifully with holiday soups and stews. It also makes an excellent accompaniment to a charcuterie board with a selection of Italian meats and cheeses. For a light meal, serve slices topped with ricotta and honey or your favorite spreads.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the Christmas Tree Focaccia dough up to 24 hours in advance and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator. This actually enhances flavor development. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping.

Why isn’t my dough rising properly?
Check your yeast expiration date and water temperature. Too hot (over 115°F/46°C) will kill yeast, while too cool won’t activate it. Also, keep your dough in a warm, draft-free area during rising.

Can I freeze this focaccia?
Absolutely! After baking and cooling completely, wrap your Christmas Tree Focaccia tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs?
While fresh herbs create the best “pine needle” effect, you can substitute dried herbs in the dough. For decorating, consider green onions, leeks, or even thin strips of zucchini as alternatives.

How do I prevent my toppings from burning?
Some toppings, particularly herbs, can brown quickly. Place your Christmas Tree Focaccia on a middle rack and watch carefully during the last 5 minutes of baking. If needed, loosely cover with foil to prevent excessive browning.

Conclusion

This Christmas Tree Focaccia is comfort food at its finest — a warm, aromatic creation that brings both beauty and flavor to your holiday table. It’s the kind of dish that creates memories as families gather to shape and decorate the bread together, establishing new traditions in the process. Whether served as an impressive appetizer or alongside your Christmas feast, this festive bread captures the spirit of the season in every delicious bite. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let the holiday baking magic begin!

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