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Christmas Tree Focaccia

Christmas tree focaccia is a soft, golden olive oil bread decorated with rosemary branches, red pepper garland, and tomato ornaments. Stretch and fold the dough, let it rise, then bake the festive tree until the edges pull away from the pan.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
resting and rising 3 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 295

Ingredients
  

For the focaccia
  • 1.67 cup warm water 105–110°F
  • 1 packet (2.25 tsp) instant yeast
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 4 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 2 tsp fine salt
  • 5 tbsp olive oil divided
For the tree
  • 8 rosemary fresh sprigs
  • 0.5 red bell pepper cored and cut into thin strips
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 yellow bell pepper small, cored

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch baking pan

Method
 

Make the dough
  1. In a large bowl, stir together the warm water (105–110°F), instant yeast, and honey.
  2. Add the all-purpose flour, fine salt, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil; stir with a wooden spoon until no dry flour remains.
  3. Cover and let the dough rest for 15 minutes, then use wet hands to stretch one edge up and fold it over the center; turn the bowl and repeat on all four sides. Repeat this set twice more, with 15 minutes between sets, keeping the bowl covered between folds.
  4. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 45–75 minutes, until doubled in size.
Proof and decorate
  1. Coat the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking pan with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, then transfer the dough to the pan and gently stretch it toward the corners. If it springs back, let it rest for 10 minutes before stretching again.
  2. Cover the pan and let the dough rise for 45–75 minutes, until puffy.
  3. Heat the oven to 425°F.
  4. Press oiled fingertips into the dough to make dimples, then drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the surface.
  5. Arrange the rosemary sprigs in a stepped triangle, with the widest row at the bottom; lay the red pepper strips across the branches as garland and add the tomato halves as ornaments. Cut a small star and a 1-inch rectangle from the yellow bell pepper and place them at the top and base of the tree.
Bake
  1. Bake for 22–28 minutes, until the focaccia is golden brown and the edges pull away from the pan.
  2. Let the focaccia cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For the best tree shape, stretch the dough gently and let it rest for 10 minutes if it springs back. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freezing is fine. For a vegan swap, replace the honey with an equal amount of maple syrup.