Oh, let me tell you about my absolute favorite holiday tradition—making Christmas Focaccia Bread! It’s not just any bread; it’s a vibrant centerpiece that brings the festive spirit to our family gatherings. The aroma of fresh rosemary, warm olive oil, and roasted cherry tomatoes fills the kitchen, and I can almost hear my family’s excited chatter as they gather around the table. What I love most is how easy it is to whip up and how I can customize the toppings to match the holiday vibe. Whether it’s a sprinkle of olives for a Mediterranean twist or a burst of seasonal herbs, this bread makes every meal feel special. Trust me, you’ll want to add this colorful, savory delight to your holiday spread!
Ingredients for Christmas Focaccia Bread
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 3/4 cups warm water
- Fresh rosemary, chopped
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Olives, pitted and sliced
These simple yet flavorful ingredients come together to create a stunning focaccia that’s perfect for any holiday table. Make sure your rosemary is fresh for that lovely aroma and flavor. The cherry tomatoes and olives add a vibrant touch that not only looks beautiful but tastes divine!
How to Prepare Christmas Focaccia Bread
Mixing the Dough
To start, grab a large mixing bowl and combine the 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of instant yeast, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Give it a good stir to mix everything evenly. Then, make a well in the center and pour in 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1 3/4 cups of warm water. Stir until the ingredients are just combined; don’t worry if it looks a bit shaggy—that’s exactly what you want!
Kneading and Rising
Now it’s time to knead! Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5 to 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. This step is crucial because it develops the gluten and gives the bread its wonderful texture. Once you’ve kneaded it, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour. You’ll know it’s ready when it has doubled in size—just like my excitement when I see it puffing up!
Shaping the Bread
After the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a baking sheet with olive oil, then gently spread the dough out onto the sheet, using your fingers to create lovely dimples all over the surface. This is where the magic happens! Next, sprinkle generously with chopped fresh rosemary, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced olives. Not only do they look festive, but they’ll also infuse the bread with amazing flavors!
Baking Instructions
Once you’ve topped your focaccia, drizzle a little more olive oil over the top and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Now, pop it in the oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until it’s gloriously golden brown. To check for doneness, give it a gentle tap on the bottom; if it sounds hollow, it’s ready to come out! The aroma wafting through your kitchen will have everyone gathering around—trust me, it’s a beautiful sight!
Nutritional Information
This Christmas Focaccia Bread is not only delicious but also relatively balanced! Each slice offers approximately 200 calories, with 8g of fat, 5g of protein, and 30g of carbohydrates. It contains about 1g of sugar and 300mg of sodium. Remember, these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. Enjoy this festive bread guilt-free as part of your holiday celebrations!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy to make and requires minimal hands-on time, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules.
- Customizable toppings let you get creative—add your favorite seasonal ingredients for a personal touch!
- This Christmas Focaccia Bread is a stunning centerpiece that’s sure to impress at holiday gatherings.
- Delicious served warm, it pairs beautifully with soups, salads, or simply on its own as a delightful snack.
Trust me, once you bake this bread, it’ll become a cherished tradition on your holiday table!
Tips for Success
To ensure your Christmas Focaccia Bread turns out perfect every time, here are my top tips! First, be sure to let the dough rise in a warm spot—this is key for a fluffy texture. You can even place it near a warm oven or in a sunny spot. Don’t hesitate to experiment with toppings; seasonal ingredients like roasted garlic or caramelized onions can elevate the flavor! Also, if you want to add a bit more flair, try sprinkling some coarse sea salt on top before baking for that extra crunch. Trust me, these little tweaks make a big difference!
Variations for Christmas Focaccia Bread
If you’re feeling adventurous, there are so many fun ways to switch up your Christmas Focaccia Bread! For a delightful twist, try adding different herbs like thyme or basil instead of rosemary—each will bring its own unique flavor. You can also sprinkle in some grated Parmesan or sharp cheddar for an extra cheesy touch. Feeling festive? Top with roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or even some thinly sliced prosciutto for a savory kick. And don’t forget about seasonal spices! A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can add a lovely warmth. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and make it your own!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Christmas Focaccia Bread fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for up to a week. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and warm the bread for about 10 minutes. This will help revive its lovely texture and flavors, making it taste almost as good as when it was fresh out of the oven. Enjoy every bite!
FAQ Section
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Absolutely! You can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, but keep in mind that it may alter the texture slightly. You might want to mix half and half for the best results!
How do I know when my focaccia is done baking?
The best way to check is by tapping the bottom of the bread; if it sounds hollow, it’s ready to come out! It should also be a beautiful golden brown on top.
Can I make this Christmas focaccia bread ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking. It’s a great time-saver for holiday gatherings!
What are some good toppings for Christmas focaccia bread?
You can get creative with toppings! Besides rosemary, cherry tomatoes, and olives, try adding caramelized onions, roasted garlic, or even a sprinkle of feta cheese. The holiday season is all about festive flavors!
Can I freeze the focaccia bread?
Definitely! Once it’s baked and cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. It can be frozen for up to a month. Just thaw and warm it up in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy it again!
Christmas Focaccia Bread: 7 Steps to Joyful Baking
- Całkowity Czas: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Ustępować: 1 large focaccia 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
This Christmas Focaccia Bread is a festive and flavorful addition to your holiday table. It’s easy to make and can be customized with seasonal toppings.
Składniki
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 3/4 cups warm water
- Fresh rosemary
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olives
Instrukcje
- In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar.
- Add olive oil and warm water. Stir until combined.
- Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until smooth.
- Cover the bowl with a cloth and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Spread the dough onto a greased baking sheet.
- Use your fingers to create dimples in the dough.
- Top with rosemary, cherry tomatoes, and olives.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Uwagi
- Let the dough rise in a warm place.
- Experiment with different toppings.
- Serve warm for the best taste.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 25 minutes
- Kategoria: Bread
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: Italian
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 slice
- Kalorie: 200
- Cukier: 1g
- Sód: 300mg
- Kwasy: 8g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 1g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 5g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 30g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Słowa kluczowe: christmas focaccia bread, holiday bread, festive bread, Italian bread
