Name: Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe
Prep time: 12 h 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 12 h 55 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 cups bread flour; 1/4 tsp active dry yeast; 1 1/4 tsp coarse salt; 1 2/3 cup warm water; Fresh rosemary sprigs; 1 pear, thinly sliced; Cherry tomatoes, halved; Pearl onions, peeled and halved; Thinly sliced red onion; Coarse salt, for sprinkling; Olive oil, several tablespoons for drizzling

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 7 reviews

If you’re looking to wow your friends and family this holiday season, I’ve got just the thing for you: a fun and festive Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Trust me, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill bread — it’s fluffy, garlicky, olive-oil rich, and topped with a parade of fresh veggies and herbs designed to look like a sparkling Christmas tree. Stick around, because I’m going to walk you through every step and share tips I’ve learned to make your recipe effortless and festive every single time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Easy Overnight Prep: Letting the dough rise overnight transforms simple ingredients into an airy, flavorful focaccia without any fuss.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Using just bread flour, yeast, salt, and olive oil means the focus stays on texture and natural flavors.
Creative Decorating: The fresh rosemary and seasonal veggies let you customize the look, turning bread into holiday art.
Perfect Balance: The coarse salt and olive oil finish create that classic focaccia crust—crispy edge and tender inside.

Christmas Tree Focaccia, festive focaccia bread, holiday bread recipes, homemade Christmas focaccia, easy holiday bread - The dish is a round, thick layer of pale dough laid flat inside a white oval baking dish. On top of the dough, there is a rosemary shaped like a Christmas tree, with green needle-like leaves. The rosemary is decorated with red, orange, and yellow small round tomatoes and whole white pearl onions, scattered evenly like ornaments. At the bottom, a small piece of orange bread acts as the tree trunk, and at the top, five small slivered almonds form a star shape. Thin slices of red onion are placed vertically under the rosemary branches, adding a touch of purple to the design. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a white cloth and a cup of coffee nearby, along with rosemary sprigs and red onion slices scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredient list for this Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe is wonderfully simple, but each one plays a big role. The combination of bread flour and yeast creates that beautiful chewy texture, while coarse salt and olive oil add flavor and richness. Plus, the fresh toppings bring the festive spirit right to your plate.

Christmas Tree Focaccia, festive focaccia bread, holiday bread recipes, homemade Christmas focaccia, easy holiday bread - Flat lay of a small mound of bread flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl with active dry yeast powder, a few coarse salt crystals scattered on a second small white bowl, a clear small white bowl of warm water, fresh whole pearl onions halved, bright red cherry tomatoes halved, thin slices of red onion arranged in a delicate fan, thin slices of fresh pear, fresh green rosemary sprigs artfully arranged, a small white bowl filled with golden olive oil all placed with perfect symmetry 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

Bread flour: Provides higher protein for that perfect chewy, airy focaccia crumb.
Active dry yeast: Powers the dough rise and those delightful little bubbles in the crust.
Coarse salt: Adds bursts of flavor and textural contrast, especially on top.
Warm water: Activates the yeast; make sure it’s not too hot or it’ll kill the yeast!
Pear: A sweet and slightly crisp contrast, doubling as the ‘tree trunk’ or star on top.
Pearl onions: They’ve got a mild sweetness and shape that look like little tree ornaments.
Cherry tomatoes: Their vibrant color adds festive pops and juicy bites.
Red onion (thinly sliced): Brings sweetness and color, complementing the other toppings beautifully.
Fresh rosemary sprigs: The real star—these look like pine needles and infuse the bread with a gorgeous aroma.
Olive oil: For drizzling throughout and on top, creating that golden crust and rich flavor.

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily swap out toppings to suit your taste or whatever you have on hand. Sometimes I add olives or even smoked sea salt for a twist. Feel free to get creative—this focaccia is as much about the presentation as the flavor.

Variation: I once swapped cherry tomatoes for roasted red peppers, and it added a deep sweetness that paired wonderfully with rosemary.
Dietary tweaks: Want gluten-free? Try a cauliflower crust base or a gluten-free mix, though it won’t have the classic texture.
Seasonal changes: In winter, I add olives or sun-dried tomatoes to mimic little decorations on the tree.
Difficulty adjustments: If you’re pressed for time, you can shorten the first rise, but the texture won’t be quite as fluffy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Let the Dough Rise Overnight

Start by whisking together the bread flour, active dry yeast, and coarse salt in a large bowl—try to get everything nicely combined before adding the warm water. Pour in the water and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough is shaggy and sticky. This wet texture is exactly what you want; resist the urge to add more flour here! Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, then set it on your counter overnight, at least 12 hours. Trust me, this slow rise makes the dough super flavorful and airy.

Step 2: Shape the Dough and Let It Rise Again

Grab a casserole dish and drizzle a generous amount of olive oil in the bottom—this helps the focaccia get that crisp bottom crust and stops sticking. Tip the dough out onto the oiled dish and use your oiled hands to gently stretch it out to fit snugly. Don’t worry about perfect shape; rustic is charming here. Once spread, press your fingers deeply into the dough to create dimples all over, then drizzle more olive oil on top. Cover lightly and let it rest for another 2 hours. Your dough should puff up and get even bubblier.

Step 3: Decorate Your Christmas Tree

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Now comes the fun part: decorating your dough to look like a Christmas tree! I like to fan fresh rosemary sprigs out like pine branches — their aroma is incredible when baking. Next, slice thin pieces of pear and place one at the bottom as the tree trunk. Cherry tomato halves and pearl onion halves make fantastic colorful “ornaments.” Thin slices of red onion add an extra pop of color and flavor. For the tree topper, a small thin pear slice works nicely, but feel free to get creative. Sprinkle a little coarse salt over everything, and drizzle a touch more olive oil to shine it all up.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Gorgeous

Pop your focaccia into the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes. You’re looking for a puffed-up bread that’s golden brown on top, with toppings nicely set and a mouthwatering aroma filling your kitchen. Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes before slicing so it holds its shape — though I’m not gonna lie, sometimes I sneak a slice while it’s still warm. You really can’t lose either way.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use Oiled Hands: When spreading the dough, oil your hands to prevent sticking—it makes shaping much easier and keeps the dough soft.
Don’t Skip the Dimples: Those indentations help trap olive oil, creating pockets of deliciousness in every bite.
Choose Fresh Rosemary: Fresh sprigs really make the aroma pop and look authentic—don’t use dried here!
Let It Rest Before Slicing: A few minutes cooling keeps the crumb from becoming gummy when cut.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Christmas Tree Focaccia, festive focaccia bread, holiday bread recipes, homemade Christmas focaccia, easy holiday bread - The image shows a round, golden-brown focaccia bread resting on a silver cooling rack. The focaccia has small red cherry tomatoes and light yellow spots baked into the top layer, with fresh green rosemary sprigs spread across the surface. The bread looks thick and fluffy with a slightly uneven crust. This is set on a white marbled counter near a white sink with a gold faucet, with some brown and dark bottles and a plant visible in the blurred background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple to celebrate the focaccia’s natural flavors—just a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking. Sometimes I add a pinch of cracked black pepper or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a festive tang. Fresh rosemary sprigs left on after baking add a rustic final touch and an extra burst of aroma that guests always appreciate.

Side Dishes

This focaccia pairs beautifully with a spread of cheeses—go for creamy brie or tangy goat cheese. If you want something heartier, serve it alongside a warm bowl of tomato basil soup or a bright winter salad with citrus and pomegranate seeds. It’s also a lovely accompaniment to holiday charcuterie boards.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged several Christmas Tree Focaccia loaves on a large platter with a bowl of herbed olive oil for dipping right in the center. You can cut the focaccia into triangles to mimic individual trees or slices that show off the “ornaments.” Kids especially love helping decorate the tree before baking — turning it into a festive activity that doubles as a delicious appetizer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover focaccia in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it fresher longer, storing in the fridge works, but the bread will dry out faster—just reheat to bring back moisture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftovers before by slicing the focaccia and wrapping portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It keeps well for up to 3 months. When ready, just thaw slices at room temperature before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I place slices on a baking sheet and pop them into a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until warm and crisp. This method revives both the crust and crumb nicely without drying it out like a microwave might.

FAQs

Can I make this Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe without letting it rise overnight?

While an overnight rise gives the best flavor and texture, you can speed it up by letting the dough rise for 1-2 hours twice instead. Just keep in mind the bread might be less airy and flavorful compared to the slow fermentation method.
What can I use if I don’t have bread flour for the focaccia dough?

All-purpose flour can be a substitute, but your focaccia won’t be quite as chewy or structured. You might want to add a tablespoon of vital wheat gluten per cup of all-purpose flour to boost protein content.
How do I keep my rosemary fresh and aromatic in the focaccia?

Use fresh rosemary sprigs and lay them gently on top just before baking. If you want an extra burst of flavor, you can lightly brush the rosemary with olive oil before placing it on the dough.
Can I prepare this focaccia dough in a stand mixer?

Absolutely! Just mix the dry ingredients first, add the water, and knead with a dough hook on low speed until shaggy, then cover and follow the same rising instructions. This can save you some elbow grease.
What’s the best way to slice the focaccia for serving?

Once cooled slightly, slice into triangles or rectangles using a serrated knife to keep the crust intact and avoid squashing the bread.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe has become a holiday staple in my kitchen because it blends simple ingredients with creative charm—you get a homemade bread that’s not just delicious but also a centerpiece on the table. I promise, once you try it and see how your guests light up over the festive decoration and rich flavors, you’ll make it again and again. So grab your ingredients, dust off that olive oil, and get ready to bake a little festive magic!