Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread (Print-Friendly Version)
This festive pull-apart bread, shaped like a tree and packed with mozzarella, garlic, and fresh herbs, is a December crowd-pleaser. Ideal for Christmas gatherings or party appetizers, it's easy to bake using pizza dough. One to keep handy.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Dough and Fillings
01 -
13 ounces refrigerated pizza dough
02 -
6 mozzarella cheese sticks
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
1 tablespoon water
→ Buttery Herb Topping
05 -
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
06 -
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
07 -
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 -
1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
09 -
1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
10 -
1 clove garlic, grated
→ For Serving
11 -
1 jar marinara or pesto sauce, for dipping
# How to Make It:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 -
Cut pizza dough into 30 evenly sized squares. Slice mozzarella sticks into 30 pieces, each about 1 inch in length.
03 -
Wrap each cheese piece with a dough square, sealing the edges completely and rolling to form smooth balls.
04 -
Place dough balls seam-side down on the parchment-lined sheet, positioning them to create a tree shape so all pieces touch. In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water, then gently brush the balls with this mixture.
05 -
Bake in the preheated oven for 16–18 minutes, until the bread is golden and cooked through.
06 -
While bread bakes, melt butter in the microwave and stir in half the parmesan plus all of the garlic and chopped herbs. Once out of the oven, brush the warm bread with the herb butter. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan evenly on top and serve immediately with marinara or pesto sauce on the side for dipping.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
For enhanced flavor, use high-quality fresh herbs and serve immediately for optimal cheesiness and texture.