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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/cheesy-christmas-tree-bread-recipe/