Van Gogh-Inspired Blueberry Lemon Focaccia

Inspired by Van Gogh. Powered by blueberries. Baked in a dress that started it all. This Starry Sky Blueberry Lemon Focaccia is a sweet, jam-swirled focaccia topped with lemon icing—and it’s just as magical as it sounds.

By Victoria Darnell
​Published on 7/10/2025

​✨ Inspired by Art, Fashion, and a Little Girl Who Loved to Sew

If you know me, you know I’ve always had a love for art and fashion. What you may not know is that sewing has been a hobby of mine since I was a little girl. I used to sketch outfits and imagine myself wearing them.

So, when I put on this Starry Night inspired dress, everything clicked. The swirls reminded me of blueberries, the golden moons like fresh lemon zest and I knew I had to bring that vision into the kitchen. Baking this focaccia in a dress I adore felt like bringing everything I’ve learned full circle: art, creativity, flavor, and heart, all in one.
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​When your fashion meets your flour ✨
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🍋 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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• Inspired by art: A tribute to Van Gogh with edible brush strokes of fruit and icing.
• Bakery style texture: Soft, airy focaccia with caramelized fruit and golden edges.
• Simple ingredients: No special tools needed just pantry staples and fresh fruit.
• Perfect for summer: Serve for brunch, dessert, or with tea for a dreamy afternoon treat.

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Bake Along with Me 
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​Tools You’ll Need

​​ As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

• Large mixing bowl
• 9x13-inch pan or quarter sheet pan
• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Zester or microplane
• Silicone spatula
• Oven mitts

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Cooking Time

Active time: 30 minutes
First rise: 90 minutes
Second rise: 30–40 minutes
Bake time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: ~3 hours including cooling

 
​Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 3 ¾ cups (480g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ⅓ cups (320g) warm water
• 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp olive oil (plus more for greasing)

For the Blueberry Swirl:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
  
• 2 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
  
• ½ tsp cornstarch
  
• Optional: ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  

For the Lemon Icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
  
• 2–3 tbsp lemon juice
  
• Optional: ½ tsp vanilla or lemon zest for extra flavor
  

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​How to Make Starry Sky Focaccia
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1. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add flour, salt, lemon zest, and olive oil. Mix with a spatula until a sticky dough forms. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
Then, stretch and fold the dough a few times to build structure. Cover and let rise for 90 minutes until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Blueberry Swirl

​While the dough rises, make your blueberry compote. In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch. Bring to a simmer and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring until thickened. Stir in vanilla (if using), then let cool.

3. Shape the Focaccia

Generously oil your pan. Gently transfer the risen dough and stretch it to fit. If it resists, let it rest 10 more minutes.

Use your fingers to dimple the dough. Spoon the cooled blueberry mixture across the top, swirling gently with the back of a spoon. Add a few extra fresh blueberries if desired.
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Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.

4. Bake

​Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Drizzle olive oil over the top and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling in spots. Let cool slightly before icing.

5. Add the Icing

In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle generously over the cooled focaccia in sweeping motions—like a painter finishing their canvas.

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​✨ Inspired by the Dress? Shop the Look

This recipe was more than just flour and fruit it was inspired by fashion and a dress that made me feel like art in motion. For those of you who love a good “kitchen glam” moment as much as I do, I’ve rounded up a few dreamy, starry finds that capture that same magic.
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These links are part of my curated Prime Day collection and support this blog when you shop through them. Thank you for being here and baking with me 💙

🛒 Shop the Look:

• Starry print maxi dress – similar to mine
• Lemon earrings – add a citrus pop!
• Retro apron with Van Gogh vibes
• My favorite blue floral oven mitts
• Gorgeous gold measuring spoons

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​✨ Lemon Icing Options

You can finish this focaccia with a classic lemon glaze or take it to the next level with this brown butter version. Both are amazing—but the brown butter version adds warmth and depth that pairs beautifully with the blueberry swirl.

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​ Brown Butter Lemon Icing (Optional)

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp (½ stick) unsalted butter
  
• 1 cup powdered sugar
  
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
  
• Optional: ½ tsp vanilla or a pinch of salt for balance
  

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep cooking until it turns golden and smells nutty—watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
2. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Whisk in the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add a splash of milk if needed to thin.
4. Drizzle over cooled focaccia in swirls.

​🌟 Note: The icing will firm up slightly as it sets, creating a luscious, glossy finish.

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🍴 Serving Suggestions
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• Slice warm for a gooey center and crisp edge.
  
• Pair with iced tea, lavender lemonade, or espresso.
  
• Dust with edible glitter for extra stardust (optional but fun).
  

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Tips for Success

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• Don’t skip the second rise: It gives the focaccia its airy interior.
  
• Cool the swirl: A hot compote can make the dough soggy if added too soon.
  
• Use fresh lemon juice: Bottled juice can dull the brightness of the glaze.
  

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​ FAQ's

Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Bake the focaccia a day ahead and store it covered. Add icing just before serving for best texture.

Can I freeze it?
Freeze baked (but un-iced) focaccia in slices. Reheat and glaze when ready to serve.
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Can I make this without icing?
You can! A dusting of powdered sugar or lemon honey drizzle is a beautiful alternative.

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Printable Recipe Card

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​✨ Final Thoughts
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​​Icing is where the magic really happens. You can keep it classic with a lemon glaze—or try my favorite twist: a brown butter lemon icing that adds depth and warmth to every bite. Either way, you’ll end up with something worthy of a frame (or at least a second slice).

This Starry Sky Blueberry Lemon Focaccia was more than just a recipe—it was a love letter to color, creativity, and following that spark of inspiration. Whether you’re baking it for brunch, a special occasion, or simply because you saw a dress that reminded you of the night sky, I hope it brings a little magic to your table, too. If you make this, I would love to hear about it. Drop a comment below and let know what you think.



Love cooking & baking from scratch? Check out our merch -The Scratch Crafted Collection

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​💌 Before You Go
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If you try this recipe, I’d love to see it! Tag me @Scratchcraftedmeals or share it with the hashtag #StarrySkyFocaccia​ so we can celebrate your masterpiece together.

📝 Want more recipes like this? Sign up for my email list and get cozy recipes and kitchen inspiration straight to your inbox.

Join our community on Facebook @ScratchCraftedSociety 

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Author

Hi, I’m Tori Lynn (Victoria) – the heart behind Scratch Crafted Meals and now, Scratch Crafted Bakery! What began as a simple blog to share my love for homemade meals has grown into something more meaningful than I ever imagined. This space started in my kitchen, where I poured my love for cooking into every dish I made for my family. Over time, what began as a way to share recipes turned into a full-fledged cottage bakery – built from the same passion for creating delicious, scratch-made food with care. Through every blog post, late-night bake, market day, and recipe test, I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of this community. If you’ve ever tried one of my recipes, stopped by the bakery, or simply cheered me on – thank you. Your support has helped turn a personal passion into a dream come true. I hope each recipe you find here brings warmth to your kitchen and joy to your table. Let’s keep creating magic – one dish, one loaf, and one cookie at a time.

With love,
Tori Lynn