Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and delicious pull-apart bread shaped like a Christmas tree, perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with soft, buttery dough, gooey melted cheese, and a garlic herb butter topping, this appetizer is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and festive holiday presentation
- Easy to make with store-bought or homemade dough
- Gooey, cheesy, and packed with flavor
- Perfect for parties, potlucks, or Christmas dinner
- A great appetizer to serve with marinara or ranch dip
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- Mozzarella cheese (cubed)
- Butter (melted)
- Garlic (minced)
- Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Marinara sauce (for dipping, optional)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the pizza dough and cut it into small squares.
- Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center of each dough square and pinch the edges to seal, forming small balls.
- Arrange the dough balls on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning.
- Brush the garlic butter mixture over the dough balls.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for extra heat.
- Stuffed with Different Cheese: Try cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack for a unique twist.
- Pesto Flavor: Spread pesto inside the dough balls before sealing.
- Meaty Option: Add cooked crumbled sausage or pepperoni inside each dough ball.
- Sweet Version: Swap garlic butter for cinnamon sugar and serve with cream cheese icing.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze before baking for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use canned biscuit dough instead of pizza dough?
Yes! Canned biscuit dough works well for a quicker version of this recipe.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the tree and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking.
What other dips can I serve with this?
Ranch dressing, garlic butter, cheese sauce, or even pesto make great dipping options.
How do I make this bread extra fluffy?
Use fresh, high-quality pizza dough and let it rest before baking for the best texture.
Can I make a smaller version of this recipe?
Yes! Adjust the number of dough balls to create a smaller tree or mini individual trees.
How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out?
Make sure to pinch the dough tightly around the cheese cubes before baking.
Can I add extra seasonings to the garlic butter?
Absolutely! Try adding onion powder, smoked paprika, or a little honey for a unique flavor.
Can I bake this on a pizza stone?
Yes! A pizza stone helps create an even bake and a crispier bottom.
What if my bread turns out too dry?
Brush with additional melted butter right after baking to add moisture and richness.
Can I use frozen pizza dough?
Yes, just make sure to thaw it completely before using.
Conclusion
Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a fun and festive appetizer that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Whether served at holiday gatherings, Christmas Eve dinners, or cozy family nights, this pull-apart bread is a delicious way to celebrate the season. Enjoy it with your favorite dips and customize it to your taste!
PrintCheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This pull-apart Christmas tree bread is stuffed with gooey cheese, brushed with garlic butter, and baked until golden brown. It’s a fun and festive appetizer that’s perfect for holiday parties!
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dough – Divide the pizza dough into 24 small pieces.
- Fill with cheese – Flatten each piece of dough, place a mozzarella cube inside, and pinch the edges to seal, forming a ball.
- Assemble the tree – Arrange the dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape (starting with one ball at the top and increasing in rows).
- Bake – Brush with melted butter and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Add seasoning – Mix the remaining butter with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Brush over the warm bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.
- Serve – Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use different cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack for variety.
- Add red pepper flakes for a little spice!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven.
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
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