Christmas 2025! Decorated Focaccia Bread made with tickling sticks

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients, while bread flour can be more economical.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while vegetable oil is often less expensive.

rosemary

🥗Healthier: thyme

💰Cheaper: oregano

Thyme offers a similar flavor profile, while oregano is usually cheaper.

sea salt

🥗Healthier: Himalayan pink salt

💰Cheaper: table salt

Himalayan salt is often considered healthier, while table salt is more cost-effective.

Add 600 grams of pizza flour to a mixing bowl.

Add 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 14 grams of dried yeast to the flour.

Pour in 420 milliliters of lukewarm water and 60 grams of olive oil.

Also add 60 grams of melted and cooled lard.

Mix the ingredients in a machine, then stop to let it sit for 10-15 minutes to soak up moisture.

After resting, mix for about 10-15 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl; add more flour if necessary.

Transfer the sticky dough to a generously oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 90 minutes to 2 hours until doubled in size.

Oil a standard-sized oven tray generously.

Dump the risen dough onto the oiled tray, rub a bit more oil on top, cover with cling film, and let it rise for another 30-40 minutes.

Uncover the dough and massage it gently, spreading it out across the tray.

Make holes in the dough using tickling sticks, then pour around 75 milliliters of olive oil over the top.

Cover with cling film and allow a third rise for about an hour.

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius (430 degrees Fahrenheit) with the fan on.

Prepare decorations: slice cherry tomatoes, cut yellow pepper into a star shape, and cut a slice of onion for a plant pot.

Add rosemary and other decorations to the dough to create a Christmas tree design.

Place the decorated focaccia in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.

Once baked, brush with a little more olive oil while still warm.

Sprinkle finely chopped chives on top as a final decoration.

Cut into the focaccia to check the texture and enjoy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens