I remember the first time I baked jam donut focaccia—it was one of those kitchen wins that instantly became a favorite. There I was, craving something sweet and nostalgic but also with a little twist. Your classic donut’s sweetness meets the Italian charm of focaccia, all in one delicious, jam-filled package. The moment I pulled that warm jam donut focaccia out of the oven, with jam peeking through golden nooks, I knew this was going to be my go-to crowd-pleaser.
What’s so lovely about jam donut focaccia is how it fits right into my everyday foodie life. It’s simple enough to make any afternoon feel special without turning the kitchen into a mad science lab. Plus, it hits that sweet spot between bread and pastry, which means it’s perfect with morning coffee or for a treat after dinner. I love it because it’s approachable but still feels like a little celebration in every bite.
If you’re into sweet focaccia recipes that surprise, jam-filled focaccia bread is where it’s at. Picture your favorite jam donut inspired bread but with that classic Italian twist—the kind that makes you want to bake it again and again. I’m so jazzed for you to give jam donut focaccia a try. Trust me, your kitchen (and your taste buds) will thank you!
What You’ll Need:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (you can swap half with whole wheat for a nuttier flavor—totally works in this jam donut focaccia!)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp) (grab it at any grocery store; budget-friendly and reliable)
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F) (perfect for waking up the yeast for our jam donut focaccia)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (I always add a little extra because sweet focaccia recipes like this love to shine brightly)
- 1 tsp salt (balances out the jam-filled focaccia bread’s sweetness beautifully)
- ¼ cup olive oil plus more for drizzling (extra virgin if you want that Italian jam bread vibe)
- ½ cup of your favorite jam (raspberry, strawberry, or even fig—grab a jar or make your own)
This jam donut focaccia keeps the ingredient list totally approachable because good food shouldn’t be complicated. No need for fancy equipment or hard-to-find specialty items. Plus, the jam is the star here; if you’re out of one flavor, just swap to your favorite jam—whatever you love most.
Prep tip: before you start, have your jam at room temperature so it spreads easily when stuffing the dough. Leftovers? No worries. This jam donut focaccia stores great in an airtight container for a couple of days. You could even slice and toast it for breakfast!
Let’s Cook This Together:
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, stir your yeast and 1 tsp sugar into warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it’s foamy. This wake-up call is the start of your jam donut focaccia magic.
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and remaining sugar. Then pour in the foamy yeast mixture and ¼ cup olive oil. Stir until a sticky dough forms. This jam-filled focaccia bread dough is forgiving and fun to work with.
- Knead the dough: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes. If it’s sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour—but keep it soft for the ultimate jam donut focaccia texture.
- First rise: Coat a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough inside, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size. This is the step where I learned to be patient with my jam donut focaccia—it makes all the difference for that tender crumb.
- Shape and stuff: Punch down the dough and roll it out into a rectangle about ½-inch thick. Spread your jam evenly over half the dough, then fold the other half over, pressing edges to seal. This is how the jam gets tucked perfectly inside our jam donut inspired bread.
- Second rise: Transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet, cover it, and let it rise for another 30 minutes. While that’s going, preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Final touches: Gently dimple the dough with your fingers (classic focaccia move) and drizzle with a bit more olive oil. Maybe sprinkle a tiny dusting of sugar if you feel like extra shine on this Italian jam bread.
- Bake: Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Your kitchen is about to smell incredible when this jam donut focaccia is ready! If your focaccia looks lightly golden with jam bubbling through, it’s perfectly done.
- Cool and enjoy: Let it cool a bit—that jam can be lava hot! Then slice up and dig in. If your jam donut focaccia looks a bit uneven or rustic, it’s totally fine—that’s homemade charm.
Start to finish, this jam donut focaccia comes together in about 3 hours, but most of that is waiting time (best used for a cheeky coffee break).
How to Serve & Savor It:
This jam donut focaccia truly shines when you serve it slightly warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze. I love pairing it with a mild cheese like mascarpone or a hot cup of fresh coffee. Sweet focaccia recipes like this are perfect for weekend brunch or those mid-afternoon breaks that call for a little joy.
For sides, a bowl of creamy yogurt topped with fresh berries is a lovely companion to balance the sweet jam-filled focaccia bread. Or try it alongside a fresh fruit salad when you want to keep things light but festive.
Presentation-wise, slice it thick so you get those jam pockets in every bite. Leftovers? Turn jam donut focaccia slices into French toast or sandwich some cream cheese and fruit for an easy upgrade!
I’ve also played around with seasonal twists—pumpkin jam in fall is an absolute winner! Plus, friends and family have raved about how it’s a delightful switch from plain focaccia or traditional donuts.
If you’re into jam donut focaccia, you’ll probably love checking out the berry-forward version from A Paige of Positivity. For an extra-glazed version that’s pure indulgence, this glazed strawberry jam donut focaccia recipe is worth a peek!
Your Questions, Answered:
Q: Can I prep parts of this jam donut focaccia ahead?
Absolutely! Make the dough the night before, let it rise in the fridge overnight, then shape and bake the next day. It’s a great kitchen nugget if you want fresh bread without a morning rush.
Q: What’s a good jam swap in this jam donut focaccia?
Any thick jam or preserves work. I’ve done raspberry, apricot, and even lemon curd for a tangy surprise in Italian jam bread form.
Q: Can I make this jam donut focaccia gluten free?
I haven’t tried fully, but some cooks suggest swapping half the flour with a gluten-free blend. You’ll want to test your jam-filled focaccia bread dough for texture—keep me posted!
Q: How do I make jam donut focaccia for more or fewer people?
This recipe scales well. Just multiply or divide all ingredients evenly. For a smaller batch, halve everything and bake in a smaller pan.
Q: Do I have to use olive oil?
You can swap olive oil for melted butter if you want a richer flavor in your jam donut inspired bread.
Q: Can I add toppings?
Yes! A sprinkle of coarse sugar or cinnamon sugar on top before baking brings out a donut vibe.
Q: What if my dough seems too sticky?
Add a little flour, but keep it soft; too much flour can dry it out. This jam donut focaccia benefits from a tender, slightly sticky dough.
If you want even more twists, there’s a wonderful jam doughnut focaccia recipe that plays with similar ideas and might inspire your next bake.
Final Foodie Thoughts:
Jam donut focaccia has a special spot in my foodie heart because it blends two worlds I love—sweet nostalgia and fresh homemade bread. It’s a treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, perfect for family gatherings or solo indulgence.
Here are my top jam donut focaccia tips:
- Don’t rush the rises—they make all the difference in texture.
- Use good-quality jam—you want that flavor to shine through.
- Keep the dough moist and tender for that soft crumb.
Tasty variations I’m crazy about include a lemon curd filled version, a cinnamon sugar sprinkle top, and swapping in fig jam for a deeper sweetness. The raspberry jam donut focaccia gets requested the most at my table!
I hope you’ll make this recipe your own, playing with different jams and toppings. The comfort and joy of this jam donut focaccia is meant to be shared and remixed in your own kitchen.
For more everyday foodie inspiration, check out my Apple Cider Donuts—another sweet treat you’ll love.
Excited for you to bake and enjoy this jam donut focaccia soon. Let’s keep the good vibes—and jam—flowing!
jam donut focaccia
Jam donut focaccia is a delightful fusion of fluffy, airy focaccia bread topped with pockets of sweet, fruity jam, offering a unique twist on classic pastries perfect for breakfast or dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- ½ cup strawberry or raspberry jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and ¼ cup olive oil. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil a baking sheet.
- Gently punch down the dough and stretch it out onto the prepared baking sheet into a roughly 10×14 inch rectangle.
- Use your fingers to create dimples across the dough surface. Spoon small dollops of jam into some of the dimples, pressing slightly to spread.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the top and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Notes
For extra indulgence, serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of melted chocolate.