Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate the holidays with this fun and festive Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread. Filled with gooey mozzarella and aromatic herbs, this pull-apart bread is perfect for sharing with family and friends. Serve it warm with your favorite marinara or pesto for a delightful appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

• 13 oz canned refrigerator pizza dough
• Parchment paper
• 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 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 clove garlic, grated
• 1 jar marinara and/or pesto (for dipping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons melted butter, grated garlic, chopped parsley, rosemary, basil, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
3. Step 3: Lightly flour your work surface and unroll the pizza dough. Cut the dough into approximately 2-inch circles. Cut the mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces.
4. Step 4: Place one piece of mozzarella and a small amount of herb butter mixture in the center of each dough circle. Pinch the edges tightly to seal and roll gently to form smooth balls. Repeat with all pieces.
5. Step 5: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree, leaving small gaps for expansion. Place 2-3 balls below the tree’s widest part to form the trunk.
6. Step 6: Whisk the egg with water to make an egg wash. Brush it gently over the dough balls. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon fresh parsley over the tree.
7. Step 7: Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and cheese is melted. If browning too fast, loosely tent with foil.
8. Step 8: Let the bread cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm and encourage guests to pull apart the cheesy balls with marinara or pesto for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• For a twist, try adding cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni pieces inside the dough balls for extra flavor.
• Use different cheeses like provolone or fontina for a unique cheesy blend.
• If fresh herbs aren’t available, substitute with 1 teaspoon dried herbs, but reduce amount slightly to avoid overpowering.
• To make it vegetarian, stick to the herb butter and cheese and avoid adding any meat fillings.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the crust from getting soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough balls and shape the tree a few hours ahead, then refrigerate before baking. Let it come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking for best results.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

Dried herbs can be used as a substitute, but reduce the amount to about one-third to avoid an overpowering taste. Alternatively, you can omit them and rely on garlic and Parmesan for flavor.

Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 82 reviews

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft pizza dough is stuffed with gooey mozzarella and a flavorful herb butter mixture, then shaped into a Christmas tree and baked until golden and bubbly. Served warm with marinara or pesto dipping sauces, this crowd-pleasing bread is a delightful centerpiece for any seasonal party.

• Author: Isabella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 20–22 cheesy bread balls, serving 6-8 people 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

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Dough and Cheese

• 13 oz canned refrigerator pizza dough
• 6–7 mozzarella cheese sticks
• Parchment paper (for baking)

Herb Butter Mixture

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Egg Wash and Topping

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (for sprinkling)

Dipping Sauces

• 1 jar marinara sauce and/or pesto sauce (for dipping)

Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Prepare Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of melted butter with 1 grated garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to create a flavorful herb butter mixture.
3. Prepare Dough and Mozzarella: Unroll the 13 oz canned pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into circles approximately 2 inches in diameter. Also, slice the 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks into 1-inch pieces.
4. Assemble Cheesy Balls: Place one piece of mozzarella cheese and a small amount of the herb butter mixture into the center of each dough circle. Carefully pinch the edges tightly to seal the dough, forming a small round ball. Roll gently to ensure the balls are well sealed. Repeat this for all dough circles.
5. Shape Christmas Tree: Arrange the sealed dough balls on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree, leaving small gaps between the balls to allow for expansion. For the tree trunk, place 2-3 balls directly below the widest part of the tree shape.
6. Apply Egg Wash and Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon water. Gently brush this egg wash over the entire surface of the dough balls. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese along with 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley over the assembled tree for added flavor and color.
7. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the dough balls turn golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and bubbly. If the bread begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
8. Serve Warm: Remove from the oven, let cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, then serve warm. Encourage guests to pull apart the cheesy balls and enjoy with marinara and/or pesto dipping sauces.

Notes

• Use fresh herbs for the best flavor in the herb butter mixture, but dried herbs can be substituted in a pinch.
• If mozzarella sticks are unavailable, use mozzarella string cheese or cubed mozzarella.
• The dough circles should be sealed tightly to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
• Allow the bread to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot melted cheese.
• Marinara and pesto sauces provide complementary flavors; feel free to offer both to guests for variety.
• For added crunch, sprinkle some sesame seeds or poppy seeds over the tree before baking if desired.

Keywords: Cheesy Bread, Christmas Tree Bread, Holiday Appetizer, Pizza Dough Recipe, Festive Bread, Mozzarella Stuffed Bread, Herb Butter Bread