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Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Bread

Cheesy Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread (Easy Recipe)


  • Author: hafsahafsa
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 68 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread combines soft, golden dough with gooey melted cheese and buttery garlic herb flavor — shaped into a festive Christmas tree! Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or cozy nights in, it’s an easy, show-stopping appetizer that brings everyone together around the table.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

1 pound (450 g) refrigerated pizza or bread dough

All-purpose flour, for dusting

For the Filling:

1618 mozzarella cheese cubes (¾ inch / 2 cm each) – about 8 oz (225 g)

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)

For the Garlic Butter Glaze:

3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For Decoration (Optional):

2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

12 tbsp fresh rosemary or parsley leaves

1 small cherry tomato or roasted red pepper (tree topper)

Marinara sauce, for dipping


Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Let refrigerated pizza dough sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes to relax. Lightly flour your surface and roll into a 10×14-inch rectangle (25×35 cm).

Step 2: Cut and Fill
Cut into 16–18 equal squares. Place a mozzarella cube in the center of each, pinch corners together to seal, and roll into balls.

Step 3: Shape the Tree
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the balls in a Christmas tree shape — one on top, two below, then three, and so on, finishing with one or two for the trunk.

Step 4: Season and Brush
Combine melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and red pepper flakes. Brush half over the dough balls.

Step 5: Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.

Step 6: Finish
Brush with the remaining garlic butter. Sprinkle Parmesan and garnish with rosemary. Add a cherry tomato at the top.

Step 7: Serve
Serve warm with marinara, ranch, or garlic butter for dipping.

Notes

Seal each ball tightly to prevent cheese from leaking.

Don’t overbake — remove once golden for a soft interior.

For extra crispiness, bake on a preheated pizza stone.

Best served warm; cheese hardens slightly as it cools.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer / Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 80 g)
  • Calories: 210 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 270 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg

Keywords: cheesy christmas tree pull-apart bread, christmas appetizer, festive bread recipe, garlic cheese bread, holiday party snack