Name: Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 12 h 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 cups bread flour; 1/4 tsp active dry yeast; 1 1/4 tsp coarse salt; 1 2/3 cups warm water; Pear slices (for tree base and topper); Pearl onions, peeled and halved; Cherry tomatoes, halved; Thinly sliced red onion (optional for decoration); Fresh rosemary sprigs; Coarse salt, for sprinkling; Plenty of olive oil (several tablespoons for dough and drizzling)

If you’re looking to wow your family and friends this holiday season, I absolutely love sharing this **Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe** with everyone because it’s as fun to make as it is delicious to eat. Imagine a fluffy, olive oil-kissed bread shaped like a Christmas tree, adorned with colorful, fresh toppings that almost make you want to display it before devouring it. I’m excited to walk you through how to pull off this festive centerpiece that always gets compliments and hungry requests for seconds!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Eye-Catching Presentation: The Christmas tree shape makes it a showstopper on any holiday table.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most ingredients in your pantry and fridge.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Overnight fermentation means less work on the big day.
Customizable Toppings: Personalize the decorations with your favorite festive ingredients.

An oval white ceramic dish holds a single large focaccia bread with a golden crust. The top of the bread is decorated with three branches of green rosemary that spread across it like a tree, with small red and orange cherry tomatoes and slices of white onion placed between the rosemary sprigs. The bread has some dimples and a lightly browned surface. The dish is on a white marbled surface, next to a white towel with green stripes, a small white plate with blue floral design holding more cherry tomatoes, onion halves, and rosemary sprigs, and a lit candle in a decorative holder. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia, Christmas tree bread, holiday focaccia recipe, Christmas bread ideas, festive bread decoration

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe lies in simple, quality ingredients coming together beautifully. From the flour that creates that perfect chewy texture to the fresh rosemary lending pine-like aromas, each element plays its part.

Flat lay of a small mound of bread flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a few pearl onions halved showing their white and purple layers, a handful of whole cherry tomatoes with deep red skins, a few thin crescent slices of fresh green pear, several fresh rosemary sprigs with needle-like leaves, a small white bowl filled with golden olive oil, a small white bowl with coarse salt crystals, a small white bowl with warm water reflecting soft light, a tiny heap of active dry yeast granules on a white ceramic dish placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia, Christmas tree bread, holiday focaccia recipe, Christmas bread ideas, festive bread decoration

Bread flour: Gives the focaccia its classic chewy and airy texture; all-purpose flour can work but bread flour is best.
Active dry yeast: Provides the rise; be sure it’s fresh for the best lift.
Coarse salt: Adds that perfect touch of salty crunch on top.
Warm water: Activates the yeast; make sure it’s warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
Pear: Thinly sliced for a subtle sweetness and nice visual contrast on the “tree base” and topping.
Pearl onions: Halved and peeled for little white “ornaments” that add sweetness and texture.
Cherry tomatoes: Halved to mimic colorful ornaments with a juicy burst.
Red onion: Thinly sliced to give a mild sharpness and color.
Fresh rosemary sprigs: The “branches” of your tree, fragrant and perfectly festive.
Olive oil: Use plenty; it keeps the focaccia moist and adds those golden crispy edges we all want.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible the Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe is, so feel free to make it your own with toppings or flavors you love! I encourage you to experiment and have fun decorating—it’s half the joy.

Vegetarian variation: Swap the pearl onions and tomatoes for colorful bell pepper slices and olives—my family loves how vibrant it looks!
Herb twist: Try adding thyme or sage alongside rosemary to amp up the aroma and add depth.
Gluten-free option: I once tried a gluten-free flour blend here—results were good but a bit denser; be sure to adjust your water content.
Holiday toppings: Use pomegranate seeds or crumbled feta for a festive pop that looks like fresh snow or snowflakes.

How to Make Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Ferment Overnight

Start by combining the bread flour, active dry yeast, and coarse salt in a large bowl. Whisk them together to distribute everything evenly—that little step really helps with a consistent rise. Add your warm water, then stir with a wooden spoon until you get a shaggy, wet dough. Don’t worry if it feels sticky; that’s how it should be. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and let it sit on your counter for at least 12 hours. I often make it at night, so it’s ready by morning. This slow fermentation develops incredible flavor and texture you just can’t rush!

Step 2: Shape and Proof in the Dish

The next day, drizzle a healthy amount of olive oil into a casserole dish (mine’s around 7×12 inches). Gently tip your risen dough out onto the dish. It’ll be bubbly and beautifully risen—looking at it always excites me! Use your hands to spread it out so it fills the dish snugly. Now comes one of my favorite parts: use your fingers to dimple the dough, creating those elegant focaccia pockets. Drizzle more olive oil over the top, cover it lightly, and let it proof for another 2 hours. This second rest makes the bread even fluffier once baked.

Step 3: Decorate Your Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s ready when you finish decorating. This step is where your creativity shines! Lay out your rosemary sprigs like pine branches, fan them out across the dough’s surface. Use a thin slice of pear for the tree trunk at the base, and scatter halved cherry tomatoes and pearl onions to look like colorful ornaments. Thin slices of red onion add extra color and texture, and I like to lay a small pear slice near the top as a “star.” Honestly, you can decorate this however you want—no rules, just festive fun!

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Glorious

Pop your decorated focaccia into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, until the bread looks puffed, golden, and irresistible. The toppings will have roasted slightly, releasing all their wonderful flavors. I usually let mine rest a few minutes before slicing—it lets those juices settle and makes slicing less messy. Slice into wedges and get ready to enjoy warm, aromatic bites of festive goodness!

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Long, Slow Rise: I learned that letting the dough rise overnight deepens the flavor and improves texture more than rushing it.
Dimple Deeply: Don’t be shy pressing your fingers in; the dimples hold olive oil and make the crust delightfully crispy.
Use Generous Olive Oil: Overflowing oil keeps the bread moist inside and gives those lusciously golden edges you want.
Decorate After Proof: Decorate only after the second rise to avoid deflating your dough and keep those festive ornaments in place.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love finishing this focaccia with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before baking—it adds a crunchy, salty pop that balances the olive oil richness perfectly. Sometimes I add a drizzle of balsamic glaze right before serving for a tangy-sweet twist that guests can’t get enough of.

Side Dishes

This focaccia pairs beautifully with a crisp winter salad—think citrus segments, walnuts, and goat cheese—or with a warm bowl of tomato basil soup. For parties, I love serving it alongside a charcuterie board with cheeses, olives, and cured meats; it’s a perfect snack or starter.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged several smaller focaccia “trees” on a large platter, each decorated differently to mimic a festive forest—it was a huge hit and looked incredible. For kids, I’ve let them “decorate” their own focaccia trees with toppings at the table, turning it into a fun interactive centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare at my house!), I wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay fresh for about 2 days. For best flavor, I recommend reheating before eating to bring back the olive oil’s richness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unbaked dough after the first rise by tightly wrapping it in plastic and placing it in a freezer bag. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, then proceed with the second rise and decoration. This trick saves a lot of time on busy holiday mornings.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop slices in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes until warm and somewhat crisp on the outside. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make the bread gummy instead of delightfully chewy.

FAQs

Can I make the dough without letting it rise overnight?

While you can make focaccia dough with a shorter rise time, the overnight fermentation develops far more flavor and a better texture. If you’re short on time, allow at least 2 hours for the first rise, but expect a less complex taste.
What if I don’t have bread flour?

You can use all-purpose flour, but your focaccia may be slightly less chewy and crisp. Using bread flour is worth it if you want that classic airy texture.
Can I use other toppings besides pear and tomatoes?

Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with olives, bell peppers, herbs, pomegranate seeds, or anything festive that suits your taste and the season.
How do I keep the focaccia from drying out?

Using plenty of olive oil both in the pan and drizzled on top helps keep the bread moist. Also, store leftovers wrapped tightly and reheat gently to maintain that softness.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe is one of those special treats that feels like a little celebration in itself, even before the first bite. I remember the first time I made it, my family couldn’t stop snapping photos before digging in, and it instantly became a holiday tradition. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s genuinely that kind of recipe that brings warmth and smiles to your kitchen. So grab your olive oil and festive toppings, and let’s make some magic happen this Christmas!