Donut Focaccia

Donut Focaccia – A Sweet Twist on an Italian Classic

If you’re looking for a bake that bridges the gap between pillowy soft bread and sugary indulgence, this Donut Focaccia is the treat you didn’t know you needed. Imagine everything you love about a jam donut—golden edges, soft center, and sweet jam—reimagined in the form of a shareable, tear-and-eat focaccia.

We recently lost one of our beloved family cats, so comfort food has been a must in our home lately. This soft, jammy bake has brought a bit of warmth to our table and reminded us how healing a good homemade treat can be.

This recipe is a true showstopper, perfect for brunch tables, afternoon treats, or your next cozy baking day.

Ingredients

For the dough:

500g strong white flour

50g caster sugar

60g melted salted butter

275ml warm milk

5g dried active yeast

1 egg

2-3 Tbsp vegetable oil

For the filling:

200g jam of your choice (raspberry, strawberry, or plum work beautifully)

For the glaze:

100g icing sugar

2–3 tsp water

1. Activate the yeast

In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle in the dried active yeast and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it starts to foam. This step ensures your dough will rise beautifully.

2. Mix the dough

In a large bowl, combine the flour and the yeast mixture. Add the melted butter and the egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can do this by hand or in a stand mixer with a dough hook.

3. First proof

Cover the dough and leave it to rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

4. Shape and fill

Line a tray with greaseproof and add your vegetable oil. Tip the risen dough into the tray and gently stretch it to fill the corners. With oiled fingertips, dimple the dough all over. Spoon small blobs of jam into the dimples, nestling HALF of the jam just beneath the surface. Fold the dough over, put the remaining jam on top.

5. Second proof

Cover loosely and let the dough rise again for about 30–40 minutes until puffy. Gently press your fingers into the dough to simple again.

6. Bake

Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Bake the focaccia for 20–25 minutes, until golden on top and cooked through.

7. Glaze it

Mix icing sugar with 2–3 tsp of water until you get a pourable but fairly thick consistency. Once the focaccia has cooled slightly, drizzle generously over the top.

Tips for Perfect Sweet Focaccia

Use room temperature jam to make spreading easier and avoid sinking.

Don’t overbake—you want soft, donut-like bread, not crusty bread.

Add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top before baking for extra donut vibes.

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Serving Suggestions

Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature. It’s delightful on its own, but also pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a hot cup of coffee.

Make it your own by swapping jam for Nutella, lemon curd or any other sweets preserve.

Try mini individual focaccias using a muffin tin for a grab-and-go version.

This Donut Focaccia is the kind of bake that surprises and delights. It’s nostalgic, playful, and oh-so-comforting—all in one pan. Whether you're making it for a family gathering or just because you fancy something sweet and a little different, this recipe will quickly become a firm favorite.

Tag us at @seasonedandsettled when you bake yours—we’d love to see your creations!