Serve this warmly spiced pumpkin-infused focaccia covered in melted gruyere and toasty sliced almonds as an appetizer or soup accompaniment!
pumpkin focaccia with gruyere and almonds

One of life’s most satisfying experiences?

Shoving carbs in your face while watching too-skinny actresses whose dresses might just pop open if they inhale/exhale too deeply or have even the slightest muscle spasm and who fairly obviously haven’t eaten for five weeks in preparation for this one night of their lives.

While you are wearing the stretchiest of stretch pants and may or may not have gone without washing your hair for four days.

Try it, it’s amazing.

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(Not the no hair washing part. That is just what happens when one’s building decides to shut off one’s heat and hot water for an indeterminate amount of time, even though the flyers they put up very clearly state that it would only be from 8AM-4PM on Saturday.

But the stretch pants and the carbs? Totally a must.)

PicMonkey Collage

In case you are now super sad that you did not spend the Golden Globes doing any of these things.

Have no fear! Awards season has truly only just begun. We’ve still got the Oscars, the Emmys, the Tonys, the SAGs (and probably more that I can’t name off the top of my head) – plenty of stretchy pants opportunities right there.

And then come the Olympics. I’m not sure what it is about seeing super fit people doing super athletic things that makes me want to throw yeast and flour into a bowl, and turn it into something probably not allowed on their super strict superfood diets (unless their name is Michael Phelps). But let’s just go with it.

This pumpkin focaccia with gruyere and almonds is the perfect thing to whip up for such a fête. The focaccia itself has a hint of sweetness and warmth to it from a touch of brown sugar and nutmeg that is then balanced out with a crispy cheesy gruyere and almond topping.

Plus the recipe makes TWO LOAVES. So you can either invite more people over to eat it or eat more. No judgment, whichever way you decide to go.

So long as you remember your stretchy pants.

This is my submission to Week 11 of the 12 Weeks of Winter Squash! If you’ve winter squash-ed this week, then feel free to link up below:
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One year ago…Grapefruit Olive Oil Pound Cake

Two years ago…Bulgur and Kale Casserole with Yogurt Topping, Meyer Lemon Rosemary Sticky Buns

Three years ago…Salmon in a Lemon Caper Sauce over Mashed Cannellini Beans

Four years ago…Lamb with Pumpkin and Apricots, Olive and Mozzarella Spaghetti

Five years ago…Roasted Butternut Squash with Shallots

Pumpkin Focaccia with Gruyere and Almonds
 
Serve this warmly spiced pumpkin-infused focaccia as an appetizer or soup accompaniment!
Yield: 2 loaves
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 3½ cups all purpose flour, plus more for dough
  • 3 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 3 oz grated gruyere, divided
  • ⅓ cup toasted sliced almonds
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, yeast, and brown sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until yeast starts to get foamy. Stir in 1 cup of the flour and the butter, mixing until just combined. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
  2. Mix in the pumpkin, salt, and nutmeg, stirring until well combined. Add in 2¼ cups flour and half of the cheese, using the bread hook attachment to combine. Keep adding in more flour until the hook can mix it for 1 minute without any sticking to the sides. The dough should be tacky but not sticky. Mix with the dough hook or knead for 4 minutes. Place dough in a well-greased bowl and let rise, loosely covered, for an hour or until doubled in size.
  3. Punch down the dough and then let rest for 5 minutes. Divide dough in half and, on a parchment-lined baking sheet, form into an 8-inch round or oval. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and almonds. Let rise for 20 minutes.
  4. Heat oven to 400. Bake for 25-20 minutes, or until the bottom of the loaf has browned and the cheese melts. Let cool before serving.
Notes
Adapted from Cooking Light
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 wedge

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73 Responses to Pumpkin Focaccia with Gruyere and Almonds

  1. Ooohhh… this looks so good — savory pumpkin dishes are always a hit with me! I love the use of gruyere here. It sounds and looks really delicious!

  2. Barbara says:

    Super idea, Joanne. And it looks marvelous.
    I never watch those shows…just smacks of too much patting ones self on the back. But I’m sure looking forward to the Olympics!

  3. OMG no hot water is the worst… i wouldn’t wash my hair either! Love, love this focaccia. Though, I’d make a batch and probably eat it all by myself.

  4. That pumpkin focaccia looks like the perfect comfort food to snuggle up on the couch in stretchy pants to watch the Golden Globes with. All I’d need is a bowl of soup to go with it. Beautiful Joanne!

  5. I missed the Golden Glboes this year but I also love carbing it up in stretchy pants while watching the awards shows. This looks perfect!

  6. Why do awards shows also make me want to bake?? Blondies + Golden Globes = perfect night.

  7. I love seeing things on your IG and then waiting for them to appear in full-picture on your blog. This looks totally delicious!

  8. Julia says:

    I’d gladly wear a mumu in preparation for eating this bread! Bring on them stretchy pants and make way, I’m going to carb land! Seriously, this bread is killing me and I want it in my mouth!

  9. Lynn says:

    Love the idea of this – especially with the cheese on top!

  10. Adrian Fleur says:

    Haha! Sounds perfect! And the focaccia is obviously perfect as well. Mmmm, pumpkin!!

  11. Mimi says:

    Ab Fab. I’m so glad I’m not famous.

  12. Sarah Toasty says:

    i’d like to think carbs and sweat pants are not exclusive to the golden globes, but i think that amy and tina would approve… Love this, will have to try it out with the excess cans of pumpkin from the holidays!

  13. Gosh, this looks good. I think my family and I would down this in one sitting! 🙂

  14. Oh man this looks delish and with LOTS of pumpkin in it! YAYYYY! I still heart pumpkin, even though it is past “pumpkin season”. Great recipe Joanne! Gonna pin this one!

  15. Two loaves, all for me. That’s how this bread is going down.

  16. SallyBR says:

    love this focaccia take! Truly spectacular…

    now, don’t get me started on the dresses – I went through the trouble of checking one by one in the internet (I did not watch the awards), and honestly only 2 or 3 max I found attractive, flattering and appropriate. Oh, well…

  17. danielle says:

    Pinning and making this one for sure! This sounds a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

  18. Corina says:

    Now I feel bad – I often go more than 4 days before washing my hair! I love the focaccia bread.

  19. Kristi says:

    I didn’t watch the Golden Globes, but I recorded it, so I can redo the night with stretchy pants, and focaccia bread.

  20. Haha, oh man. I usually go about four days without washing my hair – but I do this on purpose, because it always looks/smells fresh. My sister kind of hates me for it. haha!
    This focaccia looks like such an amazing combination of flavors! I love it.
    Pinning!

  21. Oh my lawdy…pumpkin and gruyere? AND almonds? This will be happening…awards show or no awards show. And yes, in stretchy pants while I concoct the image of myself in a beautiful dress alongside the beautiful people… 😉

  22. Jessie says:

    I never thought about it before, but this is totally the season to be eating carbs and sitting in stretchy pants – and with the Olympics coming up, too! My eyes have been opened 😉 I wouldn’t mind sitting down with a wedge or two or three or four of this pumpkin focaccia!

  23. oooh these are just as dreamy as Bradley Cooper at the Globes!

  24. This looks so yummy!! Great idea- a pumpkin focaccia ? Who knew? I have to get on that list of squash this week… You got me thinking what to make!! Thanks Joanne!

  25. I wanted to lick my phone when you posted this on instagram (but I didn’t… water damage, you understand). I’m apparently a terrible lazy American and watched Netflix without realizing I was missing the Golden Globes, oops! Hope this bread works just as well when streaming TV shows

  26. Kelster says:

    Sometimes I wonder if you’re in myhead. I made foccacia for this month’s Sourdough Surprises and I’ve been thinking that since I still have time before posting, I should make a pumpkin one.
    This looks delicious! I watch certain shows with ice cream. I’m afraid to say which because the internet might chastise me. I should shift to awards shows.

  27. Simply Life says:

    goodness- this combines all of my favorite flavors!

  28. Pam says:

    I am seriously wishing I had a slice right now with my coffee. YUMMMM!

  29. Abby says:

    My stretchy pants are ready! Bring on the carbs. By the way, carbs during The Biggest Loser are a must as well.

  30. i need some of this in my life! yum. pumpkin makes me so happy, even in january 🙂

  31. I missed the Golden Globes but I know have many opportunities to shove my face 😛 I have to make this pumpkin version of focaccia because they go so well with soups.

  32. My favorite thing to wear with stretchy pants is a huge baggy sweater. That way, when I get up from my blanket nest, I don’t even have to look at the expanded pants.

    I didn’t watch the awards, but I did netflix a lot of Walking Dead last night. I always forget that Walking Dead is not a good show to watch at dinnertime!

  33. This looks fabulous! I love pumpkin and Italian bread..this is a perfect bread for me.

  34. Meg says:

    Looks absolutely delightful, and I’m so happy to see pumpkin still percolating here! As soon as the calendar clicks over to December, my favorite gourd seems to be abandoned. I eat pumpkin all year — my favorite!

  35. This sounds so good and it came out an amazing colour!

  36. This looks fantastic! Love the golden color that the pumpkin gives the bread.

  37. I love you for making this bread. That is all.

  38. Teffy says:

    Oh wow that looks so so delicious!
    I have a whole butternut squash here that is begging to be used, to you think I could use it instead of the pumpkin?

    {Teffy’s Perks} X

  39. Eileen says:

    Well, I for one spent the Golden Globes totally ignoring them (although never fear, I will be reading the gossip blogs today!), but that doesn’t mean I don’t want a big bite of this focaccia! The almonds are such a great, crunchy touch, and sound like a perfect contrast to sweet & savory pumpkin.

  40. Haha, I certainly don’t need an excuse to shove carbs and cheese into my face 😉 This looks like a perfect combo! And since my hubs loves focaccia, i see it going on the menu soon…

  41. Veronica says:

    I’ve never liked traditional focaccia (probably b/c I’ve never had homemade, only from a supermarket-blech), but I can totally get behind this one! It’s so beautiful, too.

  42. Deena kakaya says:

    Goodness, looks like a golden savoury cake; wow! X

  43. Foodiewife says:

    Love the savory aspect of this focaccia bread. One loaf for me, one loaf to share with 8 people. Fair enough.

  44. Erica says:

    Another amazing recipe,Joanne!! Can’t wait to try this one!

  45. Carbs + stretchy pants >>>>>>>>>>>> everything
    Especially if said carbs include gruyere and almonds. I’m in love with this foccacia oh yes!

  46. Susan says:

    I feel your pain with the water business. My building has done it far too many times for me to like. I also need this bread in my life and err not to miss know it all the Tonys are in June. (sorry I work in the biz habit). 🙂

  47. sippitysup says:

    I live in LA and my fav thing to do on award nights is book a table at a restaurant that is usually to much of a scene to bother with any other night. Next time I’ll see if they have pumpkin focaccio! GREG

  48. It would take no time at all for two loaves of this amazing looking focaccia to be downed at my house!

  49. gloria says:

    I love this focaccia Joanne look amazing!!

  50. I have so much hair that I cannot wash it everyday–it’s a chore and a half.
    once or twice a week with sulfate free shampoo.
    I swear once I switched over to sulfate free my hair, real hair came about.
    Was amazing. Had no idea how much damage sulfates were doing.
    On and on I go, sorry.
    Why am I here? LOL

  51. Megan says:

    I am on such a bread-baking kick. This one is going on the list. Definitely love the pumpkin Gruyere combo!

  52. I think I can find another excuse / occasion to eat this focaccia with no trouble at all 🙂

  53. Love love love this focaccia!! And so happy I’m not theonly one stuffing my face as I watch people walk down the red carpet.

  54. Trisha says:

    Carbs are my friend, and this bread is beautiful! Pumpkin should not be limited to the fall. I need this in my life.

  55. I came home from the Vet the other day and I said to Paul, “reading the gossip magazines isn’t fun anymore because I don’t know any of the people.” I said the same thing about the Globes. P.s. You had me at gruyere. And pumkpin. And almonds.

  56. Watching the Olympics while binging on yummy food is one of my favourite hobbies! I can’t wait to do that again this year! I’m filing this away for the winter..

  57. Katerina says:

    I love every bit of it Joanne! Perfect!

  58. debbie says:

    After having a great Kitchen Aid stand mixer for over 3 years and never using it (fear maybe, if trying something new) I finally used it the other day. I love it and this recipe is perfect for it….I did watch the Golden Globes and I really have to scratch my head and wonder who picks out some of the dresses these actresses wear. Some were gorgeous and some were beyond ugly….

  59. Kathryn says:

    Man, I love gruyere and this is *such* a good use for it. The combination of flavours and textures in this bread sounds really delicious.

  60. I’ve always wanted to make focaccia and adding pumpkin sounds fabulous! I watched the Golden Globes dreaming about being there and hoping that I will be next year. I almost broke out my fanciest party dress, but then realized I was too tired to climb the stairs 😉

  61. Reeni says:

    This looks so fluffy and delicious! Luckily I’m still in my stretchy pants from the holidays.:-( Pumpkin + cheese + flour + yeast = the best thing on Earth!

  62. Wow! This looks fantastic. I love pumpkin in anything, so this would be wonder for me.

  63. Haha, you’re hysterical. Carbs are just dandy in my book! Love how you used pumpkin in this focaccia…sweet and savy…yum yum. 🙂

  64. Joanne,
    I love pumpkin bread so I know this has got to be great!

  65. Shannon says:

    i have NOT made enough with pumpkin yet! this looks amazingly delicious 🙂

  66. Johanna GGG says:

    amazing – the focaccia I mean! As for not washing hair – that was me earlier this week when I was at the beach having a swim every day – but watching awards is almost as fun (hahaha)

  67. […] This Pumpkin Focaccia with Gruyere and Almonds. I don’t even have to say it, do I? […]

  68. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Carbs and sweatpants, sounds like my fabulous every day life 😉 This looks absolutely delicious!

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