Easy Festive Focaccia Recipes

CHRISTMAS FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine warm water and oil.
• Add 1 1/2 cups flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, yeast, salt, lemon peel, and cinnamon; beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
• By hand, stir in cherries, walnuts, currants, and 1 1/2 cups flour until dough pulls cleanly away from sides of bowl.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place till double--45-60 minutes.
• Grease a cookie sheet.
• Remove dough and place on cookie sheet and with greased hands, gently knead and stretch and press dough to form a 12" round circle.
• Brush with melted butter and prick several times with a fork.
• Cover and let rise in warm place till light and double--about 40-50 minutes.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar and bake for 15-20 minutes or till golden.
• Remove and place on platter or serving tray; cool for 10 min and cut into wedges.
• Serve warm with a nice cream cheese spread or a lemon butter spread.

FESTIVE FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Mix 1 cup of the flour, the sugar, salt and yeast in large bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil and the warm water. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour until dough is soft and leaves side of bowl.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 5 to 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until double. (Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.)
• Heat oven to 425°. Grease 2 cookie sheets. Punch down dough. Divide in half. Shape each half into flattened 12-inch round on cookie sheet. Cover and let rise in warm place 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Cook bell peppers and onions in oil, stirring occasionally, until tender.
• Prick centers of focaccias and 1 inch in from edges thoroughly with fork. Brush with 1 to 2 tablespoons oil. Spread bell pepper mixture over focaccias. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon herb leaves and cheese. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.