If you’re looking for a festive, eye-catching bread that’s as delicious as it is charming, you’re in the right place. This Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe is pure magic — it’s soft, airy, and decorated with fresh rosemary and colorful veggies in the shape of a Christmas tree that’ll wow your guests. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it every holiday season (and maybe beyond!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Beautiful Presentation: Your holiday spread will instantly become more festive with its charming Christmas tree shape.
- Overnight Ease: The dough ferments gently overnight, so you get deep flavor with minimal hands-on time.
- Customizable Toppings: It’s like edible art—you can decorate it with your favorite seasonal ingredients.
- Crowd Pleaser: Soft inside, golden crust outside—my family goes crazy for this every time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple ingredients come together beautifully for a focaccia that’s fragrant, fluffy, and festive. I usually pick good quality olive oil because it really shines through, and fresh rosemary makes all the difference for that pine-tree aroma.
- Bread flour: Gives the dough its great chewy texture—make sure it’s bread flour, not all-purpose.
- Active dry yeast: My secret to a light, bubbly focaccia—don’t skip it!
- Coarse salt: Adds flavor and little bursts of texture on top.
- Warm water: Helps activate the yeast and create perfect dough.
- Pear: Thinly sliced, the soft sweetness contrasts nicely with savory toppings.
- Pearl onions: Peeled and halved, their mild flavor blends beautifully.
- Cherry tomatoes: Halved to mimic festive “ornaments,” they add bright color and juiciness.
- Thinly sliced red onion: For a subtle sharp bite and lovely color variation.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs: Essential for that pine-tree look and earthy aroma.
- Olive oil: Don’t be shy here—plenty of olive oil helps create a crackly crust and rich flavor.
Variations
I love switching up the toppings depending on what I have on hand or what flavors I’m craving, and you should totally do the same! This recipe is really a canvas waiting for your creativity.
- Cheese Lovers’ Version: Adding small mozzarella balls or sprinkling grated Parmesan before baking makes this focaccia irresistibly cheesy—I’ve done this when hosting friends and it was a hit!
- Gluten-Free Twist: I experimented once with a gluten-free flour blend, and while the shape changes a bit, it’s still delicious if you let your dough rest a bit longer.
- Herbal Mix-Up: Try swapping rosemary for thyme or sage for a different aromatic profile—I found thyme adds a gentler touch if you’re not a rosemary fan.
- Vegan Disco: Since the base is naturally vegan, just stick with olive oil and veggies for a perfect plant-based centerpiece.
How to Make Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe
Step 1: Mixing and Overnight Fermentation
Start by whisking together bread flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Pour in warm water—aim for around 100°F (38°C) to wake up that yeast but not kill it. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the dough looks shaggy and wet. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and throw a kitchen towel over it. Let it rest on your countertop overnight (12 hours or more). This slow ferment builds incredible flavor and gives you a dough that’s easy to work with the next day.
Step 2: Shaping and Second Rise
The next morning, oil a casserole dish generously—I use about 2 tablespoons, but more is better than less. Uncover your bubbly dough and gently tip it into the dish. Spread it out with your hands until it fits snugly. Don’t worry if it springs back — just let it sit covered lightly with a towel for another 2 hours. This second rise puffs it up perfectly before decorating.
Step 3: Decorating Your Christmas Tree
This is the fun part where your festive spirit takes center stage. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out fresh rosemary sprigs fanned out like pine branches. Add thin pear slices at the trunk base and perhaps another at the tree’s “star” top. Halve cherry tomatoes and pearl onions, placing them as colorful “ornaments.” Thin red onion slices add beautiful purple hues. I always tell friends—you can’t mess this up. Get creative! A sprinkle of coarse salt on top and a final drizzle of olive oil, and you’re ready to bake.
Step 4: Baking and Resting
Bake your festive masterpiece for about 25 minutes until it’s golden brown with puffed edges and the toppings are lovely and set. Let it cool a few minutes before slicing—this helps keep the bread soft and keeps the toppings intact. I love that moment when everyone’s faces light up at the sight of it.
Pro Tips for Making Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe
- Don’t Rush the Rise: I learned waiting for the dough to ferment overnight is key for flavor and easy shaping—try not to skip it!
- Oil is Your Friend: Generous olive oil on the pan and over the top keeps the focaccia moist with a delightful crust.
- Get Hands-On: Don’t be shy about dimple-ing the dough with your fingers—it helps trap olive oil and makes it so irresistibly textured.
- Watch Your Oven Temperature: Baking at 400°F gives just the right crust and color without burning your toppings—preheating is essential.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish mine with a little extra drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving. Sometimes, a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper adds a lovely contrast. If you want an extra touch of festive sparkle, a few fresh parsley leaves scattered on top after baking brighten it up beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair this focaccia with a simple green salad tossed in balsamic vinaigrette or alongside warm soup like butternut squash or tomato basil. It’s also a fabulous accompaniment to a cheese board or charcuterie platter, making it really versatile for holiday entertaining.
Creative Ways to Present
Here’s what I sometimes do: place the baked focaccia on a large wooden board, surround it with fresh pine branches (just for decoration, not eating!), mini ornaments, or cinnamon sticks to really lean into the holiday vibe. It makes a gorgeous centerpiece your guests will definitely snap photos of before digging in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, wrap leftover focaccia tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for about 2 days. I find flattening slightly when wrapping helps keep it soft.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, slice it first and wrap individual pieces in foil or plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It keeps really well for up to 2 months. When I do this, it’s a lifesaver to have festive bread ready without extra baking.
Reheating
To revive leftovers, pop slices into a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp again. You can also toast slices in a skillet with a touch of olive oil. This brings back that freshly baked charm without drying it out.
FAQs
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Can I make the dough faster without the overnight rise?
While the overnight rise develops the best flavor and texture, you can speed it up by letting the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled, followed by a second rise after shaping. Just expect a slightly less complex flavor and lighter texture.
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What if I don’t have bread flour? Can I use all-purpose?
All-purpose flour can work in a pinch, but bread flour provides more gluten which results in that classic chewy focaccia texture. If using all-purpose, your focaccia might be slightly less airy but still tasty.
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How do I keep the focaccia from sticking to the pan?
Generously oiling your pan before adding the dough is key. I usually coat the dish with olive oil and then drizzle a little on top of the dough before baking. This also helps create that delicious crispy crust.
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Can I use other herbs besides rosemary?
Absolutely! Thyme, sage, or even oregano work well. I like rosemary because it looks like pine branches, perfect for the Christmas tree theme, but feel free to experiment based on your taste!
Final Thoughts
This Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions—baking it brings a little extra joy to the kitchen, and sharing it with family feels like the perfect way to celebrate. It’s approachable, festive, and just plain fun. I promise, once you try decorating your own edible Christmas tree, you’ll feel proud handing it around at your holiday gatherings. Give it a whirl—you’re going to love it!
