The instant focaccia tree is a perfect idea to bring to the table during the Christmas holidays as an appetizer or to eat instead of bread, perhaps accompanied by cured meats and cheeses.
Scenic, super-soft, and really quick to prepare, as it is made with instant yeast for savory preparations; in ten minutes it will be ready to be baked!
You can also easily prepare it the night before and warm it slightly before serving; it will remain as soft as freshly baked.
Below you will find the RECIPE explained step by step as always and the brief VIDEO 🙂
I also leave you with other ideas perfect for the Christmas and New Year table:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 900-1000 g mold
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
Ingredients to make the INSTANT FOCACCIA TREE
- 4 eggs
- 12 oz all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use sunflower oil)
- 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 packet instant yeast for savory preparations
- as needed cherry tomatoes (about 6-7)
- 7 oz mild Provolone cheese (or pizza mozzarella)
- as needed sesame seeds
- as needed poppy seeds
- as needed extra virgin olive oil
- as needed salt
Tools
- Baking Mold Christmas tree mold 900 g – 1 kg
- Hand Whisk
Steps to make the INSTANT FOCACCIA TREE
In a large bowl, break the eggs, add the milk and the vegetable oil, then mix with a hand whisk to combine all the ingredients well.
Add the grated Parmesan, salt, and mix again.
Finally, pour the flour little by little and, lastly, the instant yeast preferably sifted.
Once you have obtained a homogeneous mixture, place the tree-shaped mold on a baking tray then pour about half of the batter into the mold. Spread it evenly then add the filling, in this case, I chose mild Provolone slices.
Cover with the remaining batter, always trying to spread it evenly throughout the tree, then move on to decorating the surface of your little tree.
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, season them with a bit of oil and a bit of salt, then distribute them as desired to create the effect of ‘Christmas balls‘.
Finish by distributing sesame seeds and poppy seeds with your hands, then bake in a static oven on the middle rack at 350°F for about 35 minutes.
If towards the end of baking, the surface of your focaccia starts to darken too much, cover it with aluminum foil until the end of baking.
Remove your INSTANT FOCACCIA TREE from the oven and wait about 30 minutes before serving. You will impress everyone!
Tips and Variations
You can fill your instant focaccia tree with whatever you like; I used mild Provolone, but you can replace it with any melted cheese (pizza mozzarella, Brie, etc.) and add a cured meat or, why not, some smoked salmon.
This scenic little tree is ideal to be served as an appetizer either at room temperature or warm.
If there are leftovers, it can be perfectly stored for 1-2 days in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil.
