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
For the Dough:
1 pound (450 g) refrigerated pizza or bread dough
All-purpose flour, for dusting
For the Filling:
16–18 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
1–2 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