If you’re looking for a festive and delicious way to wow your guests this holiday season, the Decorated Focaccia Bread with Christmas Tree and Flower Designs Recipe is absolutely perfect. This flavorful bread is not only soft and golden with a crispy crust but also transformed into charming edible art featuring fresh herbs and vibrant garnishes. Every bite combines the rustic warmth of traditional focaccia with the visual delight of holiday-themed decorations, making it both a treat for your taste buds and your eyes. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become a holiday tradition you’ll look forward to each year!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe requires simple, easy-to-find ingredients that come together beautifully to create a bread with amazing texture, flavor, and visual appeal. Each element plays an important role, from the yeast that makes the dough rise, to the fresh herbs that bring both aroma and festive decoration.
- Warm water: activates the yeast for a light and airy dough.
- Active dry yeast: essential for making the dough rise and become fluffy.
- Honey: adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
- All-purpose flour: the base of the dough, providing structure and chewiness.
- Kosher salt: enhances all the natural flavors in the bread.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: adds richness and helps create the focaccia’s crispy crust.
- Fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme: used to create the Christmas tree design and add earthy, aromatic notes.
- Fresh cranberries: serve as bright, festive “ornaments” on the Christmas tree decoration.
- Green onions and chives: form the stems and leaves for the flower design, with a fresh mild onion flavor.
- Shallot slices: act as delicate flower petals for the floral bread.
- Sliced black olives: add a salty contrast and fill empty spaces with visual interest.
- Salt and pepper: a finishing touch to season the decorated bread.
How to Make Decorated Focaccia Bread with Christmas Tree and Flower Designs Recipe
Step 1: Activate the yeast
Start by combining warm water, active dry yeast, and a pinch of honey in a large bowl. Stir gently and let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic in the dough.
Step 2: Begin the dough
Add one cup of flour and a quarter cup of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until the flour is moistened, then let the batter rest for another five minutes to help with gluten development and structure.
Step 3: Knead the dough
Mix the remaining flour and salt into the dough. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead it 10 to 15 times until you achieve a smooth, elastic consistency that springs back when poked.
Step 4: First rise
Place the dough in a generously oiled bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise for 1 hour in a warm spot until it doubles in size, creating a light and airy base for your focaccia.
Step 5: Prepare the baking sheet
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, oil a 9×13-inch rimmed baking sheet with two tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor.
Step 6: Shape and second rise
Transfer the dough onto the oiled baking sheet. Press and stretch it out into the pan’s shape without exceeding its edges. Use your fingers to gently press dimples all over the surface, then drizzle the remaining oil evenly over the dough. Let it rest for 20 minutes to rise and puff slightly.
Step 7: Create the Christmas tree design
Arrange fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme sprigs on half the dough to form a Christmas tree shape. Dot halved cranberries to resemble colorful ornaments and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper for a vibrant, edible decoration.
Step 8: Create the flower design
On the other half, craft pretty flower patterns with green onions as stems and shallot slices as petals. Scatter chive sprigs as smaller stems and fill empty spaces artistically with sliced black olives for contrast and visual harmony.
Step 9: Bake the beautifully decorated bread
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the focaccia turns golden brown with a delectably crisp crust and the decorations slightly toasted but still fresh-looking.
Step 10: Cool and serve
Remove your masterpiece from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing so the bread finishes setting and the toppings remain intact.
How to Serve Decorated Focaccia Bread with Christmas Tree and Flower Designs Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate this focaccia even more, consider sprinkling coarse sea salt or freshly cracked pepper just before serving for an extra pop of flavor that complements the herbal toppings beautifully.
Side Dishes
This festive bread pairs wonderfully with a warm bowl of soup or a fresh green salad, making for a balanced, welcoming meal perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the focaccia on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper for a charming farmhouse touch. You can even place small bowls of olive oil and balsamic vinegar alongside to encourage dipping, which guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover focaccia bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness.
Freezing
If you want to save it longer, wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Frozen focaccia lasts up to 3 months without losing much of its flavor or texture.
Reheating
To enjoy previously baked focaccia warm, reheat it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 to 10 minutes. This restores the crispy crust and soft interior beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour for this recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute whole wheat flour for part of the all-purpose flour. However, keep in mind the texture will be denser, and you might need to adjust the hydration slightly.
Do I have to use fresh herbs for the decoration?
Fresh herbs are best since they’re more flexible and vibrant, but if you only have dried herbs, sprinkle them on after baking or incorporate them into the dough for flavor.
Can I make the dough in a bread machine?
Yes, the dough can be prepared in a bread machine using the dough setting for convenience. Just transfer it to the baking sheet afterward and proceed with decoration and baking.
What if I don’t have fresh cranberries?
You can use pomegranate seeds or halved cherry tomatoes as festive alternatives to add pops of color for your Christmas tree design.
Is it necessary to oil the baking sheet?
Oiling the baking sheet is essential to prevent sticking and to create that signature crispy, golden crust that focaccia is known for.
Final Thoughts
Making this Decorated Focaccia Bread with Christmas Tree and Flower Designs Recipe is such a joyous experience, blending the art of baking with creative decorating that brightens up any holiday table. It’s a fun project to do solo or with family and a delicious reward that brings smiles all around. Give it a try this season and watch your festive spirit rise right along with the dough!
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Decorated Focaccia Bread with Christmas Tree and Flower Designs Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This beautifully decorated focaccia bread recipe yields flavorful and visually stunning loaves perfect for holiday or special occasions. The bread features a soft, airy texture with a crispy golden crust and is adorned with fresh herbs, cranberries, and olives fashioned into festive Christmas tree and floral designs. This homemade focaccia is a delightful centerpiece offering both taste and artistry.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 teaspoon honey
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (plus additional for oiling pan and drizzling)
Christmas Tree Bread Decorations
- 1 bunch fresh sage
- 1 bunch fresh rosemary
- A few sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup fresh cranberries, halved
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Flower Bread Decorations
- 3 to 4 green onions
- A few chive sprigs
- 1 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and honey. Stir gently a few times, then let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom and become foamy.
- Combine Initial Ingredients: Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until the flour is fully moistened, forming a thick batter. Let it rest for another 5 minutes to begin developing gluten.
- Add Remaining Flour and Salt: Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon kosher salt until the dough comes together. Transfer to a floured surface, knead the dough 10 to 15 times until it is smooth and elastic, which helps develop the dough’s structure.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a large lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a towel and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the focaccia.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Use two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil to grease a 9×13-inch (or larger) rimmed baking sheet to prevent sticking and add flavor to the crust.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the risen dough to the oiled baking sheet. Press it down evenly to fit within the dimensions of the pan (no larger than 9×13 inches). Use your fingertips to dimple the dough, creating characteristic focaccia texture. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the top. Allow the dough to rise again for 20 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Decorate Christmas Tree Bread: Arrange fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme herbs on one half of the dough in the shape of a Christmas tree. Add halved fresh cranberries as festive ornaments. Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper to season.
- Decorate Flower Bread: On the other half of the focaccia, arrange green onions to mimic stems. Layer the thinly sliced shallots around the green onions as flowers. Disperse chive sprigs to resemble small stems and add sliced black olives to fill empty spaces, creating a floral garden effect.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bread for 15 to 20 minutes until the focaccia is golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Allow it to cool before slicing to maintain the crumb structure and to ensure easier cutting.
Notes
- Ensure the water temperature for activating the yeast is warm but not hot (around 100-110°F) to avoid killing the yeast.
- Use fresh herbs for optimal flavor and visual appeal when decorating the focaccia.
- Dimpling the dough is important for creating the classic focaccia texture and helps retain olive oil in the crevices.
- You can customize the decorations with other vegetables or herbs as desired for different occasions.
- Allow the bread to cool before slicing to prevent it from becoming gummy or squished.
