Name: Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 14 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; 1 small pear, thinly sliced; 10 pearl onions, peeled and halved; 10 cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 small red onion, thinly sliced; Fresh rosemary sprigs; Coarse salt, for sprinkling; Olive oil, for drizzling (a few tablespoons)

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 10 reviews

If you’re looking for a festive bread recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re going to adore this Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe. It’s rustic, cozy, and bursting with flavor—perfect for holiday gatherings or just to brighten your winter table. Plus, decorating it is a total joy and makes it feel truly special. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to get your focaccia looking and tasting incredible.

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Why This Recipe Works

Overnight Fermentation: Letting the dough rest overnight develops deep, complex flavors and a wonderfully light texture.
Simple, High-Quality Ingredients: Using just flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil lets each element shine and gives you a beautifully rustic focaccia.
Creative Decor: Fresh rosemary, pears, cherry tomatoes, and onions not only look festive but add wonderful bursts of flavor and aroma.
Easy Yet Impressive: Minimal hands-on time with maximum wow factor—great for holiday entertaining or casual snacking.

Christmas Tree Focaccia, festive bread recipe, holiday focaccia bread, Christmas bread ideas, easy holiday baking - 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

For this Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe, the ingredient list is deceptively simple, but each plays a pivotal role. The bread flour gives your focaccia that perfect chew, while the yeast and salt create the ideal rise and flavor balance. Olive oil keeps it tender and adds richness, and the fresh herbs and fruit bring a seasonal, aromatic touch.

Christmas Tree Focaccia, festive bread recipe, holiday focaccia bread, Christmas bread ideas, easy holiday baking - 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: Higher protein flour provides chew and structure for that classic focaccia texture.
Active Dry Yeast: The magic behind your dough’s rise and airy crumb.
Coarse Salt: Adds crunch and flavor contrast, especially sprinkled on top.
Warm Water: Activates the yeast and hydrates the dough to a nice shaggy consistency.
Olive Oil: Keeps the dough moist and golden, plus gives focaccia its signature flavor.
Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: Mimic pine branches and infuse subtle herbal notes.
Pear, Pearl Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Thinly Sliced Red Onion: Use these for colorful, fresh “ornaments” on your edible Christmas tree.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

This Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe is a canvas for creativity—you can easily swap or add toppings based on what you love or what you have on hand. I personally love adding a little bit of shaved parmesan on top before baking for an extra savory touch.

Herb Variations: Try thyme or sage instead of rosemary if that’s what you have. It changes the aroma but stays festive.
Vegetarian or Vegan: This recipe is naturally vegetarian, and swapping to a vegan-friendly olive oil is easy—just avoid cheese toppings.
Fruit Choices: Pear is lovely, but I’ve also tried fig slices or even pomegranate seeds for a pop of color and tartness.
Spice It Up: A light sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick that’s unexpected and delicious.

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

Step 1: Mix and Rest Overnight

Start by whisking together the flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl—this helps distribute everything evenly. Add your warm water (not too hot or it will kill the yeast!) and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together into a shaggy, sticky blob. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, then let it do its thing on your countertop overnight—at least 12 hours. This slow rise really brings out the flavor and transforms the texture.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pan and Shape the Dough

The next day, drizzle a good amount of olive oil into a casserole dish (mine’s about 7-by-12 inches). Then tip that beautifully risen dough out of its bowl—hello, bubbles! Use your hands to gently spread it out into the pan, fitting it snugly. Don’t stress if it’s uneven; that rustic look is part of the charm. Press your fingers into the dough to create dimples—this keeps it from puffing up too much—and drizzle some more olive oil over the top. Cover lightly, and let it rest for another two hours so it puffs up nicely.

Step 3: Decorate Your Christmas Tree

Now comes the fun part! Preheat your oven to 400°F. Using your toppings, you’re going to “build” your Christmas tree. Rosemary sprigs fan out like pine branches, sliced pears can serve as the tree trunk or the star at the top, while cherry tomatoes and pearl onions mimic festive ornaments. I love to slice the onions in half so they nestle well and roast beautifully. Get artsy here—there’s no wrong way! Drizzle a bit more olive oil and sprinkle with a touch of coarse salt before baking.

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy

Bake your decorated focaccia for about 25 minutes until it’s puffed, golden, and the toppings look roasted and fragrant. Your kitchen will smell amazing—I guarantee it. Let it rest for a few minutes once out of the oven to set those flavors, then slice and serve. It’s as delicious as it is pretty!

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Long Fermentation Is Key: Don’t rush the overnight rest—it adds delicious depth and texture you won’t get otherwise.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: The water should be warm, not hot, or the yeast can be harmed, resulting in a flat dough.
Don’t Skip the Dimpling: Those little finger dimples keep the focaccia from puffing unevenly and help hold the olive oil to nourish the crust.
Get Creative With Your Decorations: Use whatever fresh, colorful bites you have—this focaccia doubles as a festive centerpiece!

How to Serve Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe

Christmas Tree Focaccia, festive bread recipe, holiday focaccia bread, Christmas bread ideas, easy holiday baking - 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 love finishing this focaccia with an extra drizzle of good-quality olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after it comes out of the oven—it makes the crust even more irresistible. A quick grind of fresh black pepper adds a nice contrast, and for an extra festive touch, some extra fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish on the side work well.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with sipping bowls of soup—think hearty tomato bisque or a creamy butternut squash soup. It also shines on a cheese board alongside aged cheddar or brie, olives, and a handful of nuts for a cozy holiday appetizer spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged the focaccia right on a wooden cutting board surrounded by small bowls of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dunking. Intentionally leaving some of the focaccia pieces separate makes it easy for guests to grab with their hands. Also, I’ve tried laying the focaccia over kale or fir tree branches on a festive platter for a woodland vibe that’s perfect for Christmas.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep it fresh longer, place it in an airtight container in the fridge, but be aware it might lose some of its lovely crustiness.

Freezing

If you want to freeze before baking, you can! I usually shape the dough in the pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap, then freeze it. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then let it come to room temperature and rise before decorating and baking. Baked focaccia also freezes well—just wrap slices individually and thaw at room temp.

Reheating

I reheat focaccia leftovers in a hot oven (about 350°F) for 5-10 minutes to regain that crisp crust and warm, tender crumb. Avoid microwaving if you can—it tends to make the bread rubbery.

FAQs

Can I make Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe without overnight rest?

You can, but the flavor and texture won’t be as developed. The slow, overnight fermentation is what gives this focaccia its lightness and deep, slightly tangy flavor. If you’re pressed for time, aim for at least 2 hours of rise, but I highly recommend planning ahead to get the best result.
What’s the best way to decorate the focaccia?

Use fresh rosemary as the “branches” and arrange your sliced pears, cherry tomatoes, and pearl onions like ornaments. Get creative with shapes and colors! You want to press toppings gently into the dough so they roast beautifully without falling off.
Can I substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour?

Yes, but bread flour helps give focaccia its signature chewy texture because of the higher gluten content. If you only have all-purpose flour, your focaccia will still be delicious but might be a bit softer or less structured.
How do I know when the focaccia is done baking?

Look for a golden-brown crust and puffed, airy bread. The toppings should be roasted and set, and the bottom should sound hollow if you tap it gently. If it’s still pale or dense, bake a few minutes longer.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Focaccia Recipe holds a special spot on my holiday table every year—it’s simple, festive, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. I love that it’s both stunning and comforting, and the overnight rise makes it seem almost magical when you take that first bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll find yourself making it again and again—not just for Christmas, but whenever you want to bring a little joy and warmth to your kitchen.