Description
This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive, pull-apart centerpiece that's buttery, garlicky, and filled with melty mozzarella. It's perfect for holiday gatherings and guaranteed to delight every guest.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 (13-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough
- 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 jar of marinara and/or pesto, for dipping
- Parchment paper for baking
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the dough into 30 even squares.
- Slice mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces.
- Wrap each cheese piece inside a dough square, pinching and rolling to form a smooth ball.
- Place the dough balls seam-side down in a Christmas tree shape on the baking sheet—touching each other to bake as a single pull-apart loaf.
- Whisk the egg and water, then lightly brush each dough ball with the egg wash.
- Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Melt butter, then stir in garlic, parsley, rosemary, basil, and half of the parmesan.
- Brush the herb butter over the hot bread, then sprinkle with the remaining parmesan.
- Serve warm with marinara or pesto.
Notes
Use whole milk mozzarella for best melt. Fresh herbs give a festive flavor. Assemble the tree ahead and refrigerate. To reheat, bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze the fully baked tree. Brush herb butter while warm for best flavor absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg