Yield: 16 servings
Create a masterpiece for your holiday table with this Winter Wonderland Focaccia. This festive twist on a classic focaccia combines the sweet and cinnamon flavor notes of Autumn Glory® apples. Indulge in a cozy kitchen moment—this recipe brings together the beauty of the season and the comfort of homemade bread!
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar or cane sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 ¾ teaspoons of fine table salt
- 5 -6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Toppings
- 2 Autumn Glory® apples
- 4-5 large springs of fresh rosemary
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries
- Flaky sea salt or coarse salt
Directions
- Mix the warm water, agave nectar, and yeast in a large bowl.
- Let the mixture sit for 3-5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the bread flour and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the yeast mixture and mix for about 1 minute until combined. It should be very wet and sticky.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic and let the dough rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- After resting, dip your hands in water to prevent sticking. Perform a stretch and fold by gently pulling one edge of the dough upward, then folding it over itself.
- Rotate the bowl 90 degrees and repeat. Perform this motion two more times for a total of four folds.
- Dip your hands in water as needed to prevent sticking.
- Cover the dough again and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- After resting, repeat the stretch and fold process, followed by another 30-minute rest.
- Repeat this sequence two more times for four rounds of stretching and folding. By the final round, the dough should feel smooth, elastic, and jiggly, with enough strength to stretch without tearing.
- After the final stretch, generously oil a 9x13' baking pan with about four tablespoons of olive oil.
- Transfer the dough to the pan, gently spreading it out to fit. Let it rest for 30 minutes. The dough should be very jiggly and soft.
- While the dough rests, prepare the toppings. Thinly slice the apples or use small cookie cutters to create holiday shapes like snowflakes, candy canes, or curved "hills" for the base of the rosemary trees.
- Wash and dry the rosemary springs, keeping them whole to resemble trees.
- Lightly coat the apple slices, rosemary springs, and cranberry with one tablespoon of olive oil to prevent during baking.
- Use your fingers to press deep dimples all over the surface of the dough to help create the characteristic texture of focaccia and create air bubbles.
- Arrange the toppings to create a winter scene. Place apple slices at the base as "snow-covered hills." Lay the rosemary springs on the apple slices to reassemble the trees. Use cranberries as "ornaments" on the rosemary trees. Drizzle an additional tablespoon of olive oil evenly over the top and sprinkle generously with coarse salt or flaky sea salt.
- Let the decorated dough rest for a final 30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 450° F.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy.
- Remove from the oven. Immediately remove from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- Serve and ENJOY!
Recipe created by Thank You Berry Much for Superfresh Growers®.
