Oh, the joy of baking during the holidays! There’s just something magical about the aroma of bread rising in the oven, especially when it’s a festive Christmas focaccia bread. It’s not just any bread; it’s a canvas for seasonal toppings that make your dinner table twinkle with cheer. I remember making this with my family as a kid, each person adding their favorite toppings and creating our own edible masterpiece. The colors of the cherry tomatoes, the earthy scent of fresh rosemary, and the salty kick from the olives truly capture the essence of the season. Trust me, when you pull this out of the oven, golden brown and beautifully decorated, it’ll be not just a bread, but a centerpiece of joy that brings everyone together. So, let’s sprinkle some holiday magic into your kitchen with this delicious recipe!
Ingredients for Christmas Focaccia Bread
Gather these simple yet essential ingredients to create your festive Christmas focaccia bread. Each one plays a vital role in achieving that perfect texture and flavor!
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of our bread, giving it that delightful chewy texture.
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast: This little packet is the magic behind the rise—don’t skip it!
- 1 cup warm water: Make sure it’s warm, not hot, to help activate the yeast.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: It adds richness and flavor, making your focaccia irresistibly delicious.
- 1 tsp salt: Essential for balancing flavors and enhancing the taste of the bread.
- 1 tsp sugar: Just a touch helps feed the yeast and adds a hint of sweetness.
- Cherry tomatoes, halved: These will add a burst of color and juicy flavor to your focaccia.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs: The fragrant herb brings a wonderful aroma and a taste of the holidays.
- Black olives: Their salty, briny flavor complements the sweetness of the tomatoes beautifully.
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling: This is the finishing touch that gives your focaccia that extra crunch and flavor.
Now that you have everything ready, get excited because you’re just a few steps away from baking a gorgeous focaccia that will wow your family and friends!
How to Prepare Christmas Focaccia Bread
Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and get this festive focaccia bread coming to life! It’s easier than you might think, and I promise the results will be worth the little effort. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start by combining 1 cup of warm water with 1 tsp of sugar and 1 packet of instant yeast in a bowl. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes. You’ll see it start to foam up, which means the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
- Now, add 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp of salt, and 2 tbsp of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix it all together until a sticky dough forms. Don’t worry if it’s a bit messy—that’s part of the fun!
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes. You want it to become smooth and elastic. If it sticks too much, just sprinkle a little more flour as needed.
- Once kneaded, place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size. This is the time to grab a cup of tea and relax!
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). After the dough has risen, gently flatten it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface—this is where the toppings will sit!
- Now comes the fun part: decorate with halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, and fresh rosemary. Don’t be shy; arrange them in a festive pattern!
- Sprinkle some coarse sea salt on top for that extra crunch and flavor, and then pop it in the oven!
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until it’s golden brown and makes your kitchen smell heavenly. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing it up!
And just like that, you’ve created a stunning Christmas focaccia bread! Get ready to impress everyone with your baking skills!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a showstopper! The vibrant colors of the toppings make it a perfect centerpiece for your holiday table.
- Incredibly flavorful, with the perfect balance of sweetness from the tomatoes and saltiness from the olives.
- Super easy to prepare, even for beginner bakers—just follow the steps!
- It fills your kitchen with the most wonderful aroma as it bakes, creating a warm holiday atmosphere.
- Versatile! You can customize the toppings based on your family’s favorites or what you have on hand.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Christmas focaccia bread turns out absolutely perfect, here are some tried-and-true tips from my kitchen to yours! First, always use fresh ingredients—especially the yeast and herbs—as they significantly impact the flavor and rise of your bread. If you can, opt for high-quality olive oil; it makes a world of difference!
Don’t hesitate to get creative with your toppings! While I love the classic combination of tomatoes, olives, and rosemary, you can also experiment with roasted garlic, feta cheese, or even nuts for an extra crunch. Just remember to keep an eye on the baking time, as different toppings can affect how quickly your focaccia cooks.
Lastly, if you want to make this ahead of time, consider preparing the dough and letting it rise in the fridge overnight. This can enhance the flavor and make your holiday baking a bit less hectic!
Nutritional Information
Here’s some quick nutritional info for a slice of my delightful Christmas focaccia bread. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. But it gives you a good idea of the deliciousness you’re indulging in!
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 250mg
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 4g
With a slice like this, you can enjoy the festive flavors without too much guilt! Perfect for those holiday gatherings where you want to savor every bite!
FAQ Section
Common Questions
Got questions about making the perfect Christmas focaccia bread? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries I hear often:
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast? Absolutely! Just make sure to activate it in warm water with sugar for about 10 minutes before adding it to the flour mixture.
What can I substitute for fresh rosemary? If you don’t have fresh rosemary on hand, dried rosemary works in a pinch! You can also try thyme or oregano for a different flavor profile.
How should I store leftovers? To keep your focaccia fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep it longer, it can be frozen for up to a month!
Can I add cheese to my focaccia? Yes! Adding cheese like feta or mozzarella makes it even more delicious. Just add it before baking for a melty treat!
What should I serve with Christmas focaccia bread? It pairs beautifully with soups, salads, or even as a standalone appetizer with olive oil for dipping. Enjoy the festive flavors!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delicious Christmas focaccia bread fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to enjoy it later, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to a month. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the focaccia in the refrigerator overnight. For a warm, freshly-baked taste, pop it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This will revive its delightful texture and flavor, making it feel like it just came out of the oven!
Serving Suggestions
Now that you’ve baked your stunning Christmas focaccia bread, you might be wondering what to serve alongside it. Trust me, this bread is incredibly versatile! I love pairing it with a rich and hearty butternut squash soup—the flavors complement each other beautifully. You can also serve it with a fresh arugula salad, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette for a lovely contrast. If you’re feeling indulgent, a small dish of extra virgin olive oil mixed with balsamic vinegar makes for a perfect dipping sauce. And let’s not forget about cheese! Soft cheeses like brie or a sharp aged cheddar can take your bread experience to the next level. Enjoy!
Imprimer
Christmas Focaccia Bread: 7 Steps to Holiday Bliss
- Temps Total: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Rendement: 1 large focaccia 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A festive and flavorful Christmas focaccia bread decorated with seasonal toppings.
Ingrédients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Black olives
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it. Let it rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Flatten the dough on a baking sheet and create dimples with your fingers.
- Decorate with cherry tomatoes, olives, and rosemary.
- Sprinkle coarse salt on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for better flavor.
- Experiment with toppings like cheese or nuts.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 25 minutes
- Catégorie: Bread
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sucre: 1g
- De Sodium: 250mg
- La graisse: 6g
- Graisses Saturées: 1g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 4g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 26g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 4g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 0mg
Mots-clés: christmas foccacia bread, festive bread, holiday baking
