Easy Festive Focaccia: A Delicious and Stunning Holiday Centerpiece

Focaccia, that wonderfully olive oil-soaked, dimpled Italian flatbread, is the perfect blank canvas for creating a stunning and delicious festive centerpiece. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home, and with a few simple ingredients and creative arrangements, you can transform it into a show-stopping edible work of art. Forget fussy holiday baking; this festive focaccia is all about ease, flavor, and visual appeal.

This recipe will guide you through creating a basic focaccia dough and then unleashing your inner artist with colorful vegetables and herbs to craft a beautiful and edible holiday scene. Get ready to impress your guests (and yourself!) with this delightful and approachable festive focaccia.

## What is Focaccia?

Before we dive into the festive fun, let’s briefly discuss what focaccia is. Focaccia is an Italian flatbread that is closely related to pizza dough. It’s typically made with flour, water, yeast, olive oil, and salt. What distinguishes focaccia from pizza is its characteristic dimples, which are created by pressing your fingers into the dough before baking. These dimples hold pools of olive oil, creating a delightfully crispy and flavorful crust.

Focaccia is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed plain, with herbs and spices, or topped with various ingredients like vegetables, cheese, and meats. Its simple flavor profile makes it the perfect base for showcasing seasonal ingredients, especially during the holidays.

## Why This Festive Focaccia Recipe Works

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe uses a simple no-knead dough, making it accessible to even beginner bakers. The active dry yeast ensures a good rise, creating a light and airy texture.
* **Customizable:** The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can use any vegetables and herbs you like to create your festive design. Get creative and let your imagination run wild!
* **Impressive Visual Appeal:** The colorful arrangement of vegetables and herbs on the focaccia makes it a stunning centerpiece for any holiday gathering.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of olive oil, salt, and herbs creates a savory and aromatic flavor that complements the vegetables beautifully.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** The dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, making it a convenient option for busy holiday schedules.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Focaccia Dough:

* 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* 1 teaspoon (3g) active dry yeast
* 2 teaspoons (12g) kosher salt
* 1 ½ cups (360ml) warm water (about 105-115°F or 40-46°C)
* ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil, plus more for greasing and drizzling

### For the Festive Toppings (Suggestions):

* Cherry tomatoes, halved
* Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
* Fresh rosemary sprigs
* Fresh thyme sprigs
* Red onion, thinly sliced
* Yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
* Green bell pepper, thinly sliced
* Fresh basil leaves
* Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
* Everything bagel seasoning (optional)
* Flaky sea salt (optional)

**Ingredient Notes:**

* **Flour:** All-purpose flour works well for this recipe. You can also use bread flour for a slightly chewier texture.
* **Yeast:** Active dry yeast is used in this recipe. Make sure it’s not expired. If you are using instant yeast, you can add it directly to the flour without proofing.
* **Olive Oil:** Use good-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
* **Vegetables and Herbs:** Feel free to experiment with different vegetables and herbs based on your preferences and what’s in season. Some other options include sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and oregano.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large mixing bowl
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Plastic wrap
* Clean kitchen towel
* Parchment paper (optional)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Part 1: Making the Focaccia Dough

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt.
2. **Add Water and Olive Oil:** Add the warm water and ¼ cup olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms. The dough will be quite wet and sticky.
3. **First Rise (Bulk Fermentation):** Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 hours. The dough should double or triple in size. This long fermentation period is crucial for developing flavor and a light, airy texture.
4. **Prepare the Baking Pan:** Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with olive oil. You can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal after baking.
5. **Transfer Dough to Pan:** Gently scrape the dough into the prepared baking pan. It will be sticky, so use a spatula or wet hands to help spread it out evenly. Don’t worry if it doesn’t fill the entire pan at this stage; it will spread during the second rise.
6. **Second Rise (Proofing):** Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise again in a warm place for another 30-60 minutes. The dough should puff up and fill more of the pan.

### Part 2: Creating Your Festive Focaccia Design

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Make sure your oven rack is in the middle position.
2. **Dimple the Dough:** Once the dough has proofed, use your fingertips to press deep dimples all over the surface. This is what gives focaccia its characteristic texture and allows the olive oil to pool in the dimples.
3. **Drizzle with Olive Oil:** Generously drizzle the focaccia with more olive oil. Don’t be shy – this is what makes it so flavorful!
4. **Arrange Your Festive Design:** Now comes the fun part! Get creative and arrange your chosen vegetables and herbs on the focaccia to create a festive design. Here are some ideas:
* **Christmas Tree:** Use rosemary sprigs as the branches of the tree and cherry tomatoes as ornaments. You can use yellow bell pepper strips for a star at the top.
* **Wreath:** Arrange cherry tomatoes, olives, and herbs in a circular pattern to create a wreath.
* **Snowflakes:** Use thinly sliced red onion and bell peppers to create snowflake shapes.
* **Garland:** Create a garland effect by arranging cherry tomato halves and olive halves in a row.
* **Abstract Design:** Simply arrange the vegetables and herbs in a visually appealing way, focusing on color and texture.
5. **Add Seasoning (Optional):** If desired, sprinkle the focaccia with everything bagel seasoning or flaky sea salt for extra flavor and texture.

### Part 3: Baking and Serving

1. **Bake the Focaccia:** Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bottom is cooked through. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it.
2. **Cool Slightly:** Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. **Serve:** Serve the festive focaccia warm or at room temperature. It’s delicious on its own as an appetizer or side dish, or you can use it to make sandwiches. Enjoy!

## Tips for Success

* **Use Warm Water:** The water should be warm to the touch, but not too hot, as this can kill the yeast. Aim for a temperature between 105-115°F (40-46°C).
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough focaccia. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
* **Allow for Sufficient Rising Time:** The long fermentation period is crucial for developing flavor and a light, airy texture. Don’t rush the rising process.
* **Generously Grease the Pan:** This will prevent the focaccia from sticking to the pan and ensure a crispy crust.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Use Olive Oil:** Olive oil is a key ingredient in focaccia, so don’t be shy about using it. It adds flavor and helps create a crispy crust.
* **Get Creative with Your Design:** Have fun with the festive toppings and create a design that reflects your personality and holiday spirit.
* **Adjust Baking Time as Needed:** Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the focaccia and adjust the baking time accordingly.
* **Let it Cool Slightly Before Cutting:** Allowing the focaccia to cool slightly before cutting will prevent it from being too crumbly.

## Variations and Adaptations

* **Add Cheese:** Sprinkle grated Parmesan, mozzarella, or Pecorino Romano cheese over the focaccia before baking for a cheesy twist.
* **Use Different Herbs:** Experiment with different herbs like oregano, sage, or parsley.
* **Add Spices:** Sprinkle the focaccia with red pepper flakes or garlic powder for a spicy kick.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free flour blend to make a gluten-free version of this recipe.
* **Add Pesto:** Spread pesto over the focaccia dough before adding the toppings for an extra layer of flavor.
* **Sweet Focaccia:** For a sweet version, omit the salt and add sugar to the dough. Top with fruit like berries or apples and sprinkle with cinnamon.
* **Use Different Vegetables:** Try using different vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, or eggplant.

## Serving Suggestions

* Serve as an appetizer or side dish at your holiday gatherings.
* Use it to make sandwiches or paninis.
* Serve it with dips like hummus or pesto.
* Enjoy it with a glass of wine or sparkling cider.
* Bring it to a potluck or holiday party.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

The focaccia dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. After the first rise, punch down the dough and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let the dough come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.

## Storage Instructions

Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. To freeze, wrap the focaccia tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.

## Festive Focaccia: A Recipe for Sharing Joy

This festive focaccia is more than just a recipe; it’s an opportunity to create a beautiful and delicious centerpiece that will bring joy to your holiday gatherings. It’s a fun and approachable way to get creative in the kitchen and share your culinary artistry with friends and family. So gather your ingredients, unleash your imagination, and get ready to bake a focaccia that will be the talk of the town! Happy baking!