This Christmas tree pull apart bread is a must-make holiday appetizer with fluffy balls of dough stuffed with melty mozzarella baked in the shape of a Christmas tree!
Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
Christmas tree pull-apart bread is so stinkin’ cute! Throughout the year, my family enjoys all kinds of cheesy bread, like this cheesy pesto pull apart bread and stuffed cheesy garlic bread, but the Christmas tree bread is always reserved for the holidays!
When I think about easy Christmas appetizers, these little golden pizza dough balls stuffed with cheese and smothered in herb and garlic butter come to mind. Ready in 30 minutes, they’re even better when pulled off and dipped in an easy marinara sauce!
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Pizza dough: I have a great homemade pizza dough recipe if you have the extra time. If not, your favorite store-bought dough is a fantastic option.
- String cheese: You’ll need about 8 sticks cut into 5 pieces. You’ll have some left for snacking. String cheese gives a really good cheese pull once melted.
- For the buttery topping: Butter, Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning.
- Parsley and rosemary: An optional addition to the pull-apart Christmas tree for presentation. It’s made to look like foliage.
- Marinara sauce: Again, use a jar of your favorite marinara sauce, or my homemade marinara sauce recipe. It’s up to you!
How to Make Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
Sprinkle flour on the counter and using a sharp knife or pizza cutter divide the dough into 33 small pieces, trying to keep them the same size.
Flatten each piece a bit and stuff a piece of the cheese in the center. Fold the dough around it, closing the seams to form a ball.
Arrange dough, seam-side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape, starting with 7 balls on the bottom, then 6, then 5, and so on. Add 3 balls at the top for the tree and a couple at the bottom for the trunk.
Use a pastry brush to brush the dough balls with seasoned melted butter and bake for 15-18 minutes in a preheated 425°F until golden brown.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure the seams are pinched closed so the cheese doesn’t ooze out as it bakes.
- Place some mini pepperoni on top for ornaments.
- Swap the cheese strings for diced mozzarella cheese or your favorite melty cheese.
- You could also fill the dough balls with herb and garlic cream cheese.
- If you want to add a kick to your Christmas tree pull apart bread, add some red pepper flakes to your melted butter.
- Swap the melted butter mixture for an egg wash instead. Then, sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Serve this Christmas tree appetizer with a side of marinara sauce or pizza sauce.
Storage
- Store: This Christmas tree pull-apart bread recipe is best enjoyed the day it’s made. If you do have any left, keep them covered in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Use the oven, the air fryer, or the toaster oven for reheating. Microwaving bread will harden them.
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Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
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This Christmas tree pull apart bread is a must-make holiday appetizer with fluffy balls of dough stuffed with melty mozzarella baked in the shape of a Christmas tree!
For serving: Marinara or pizza sauce
Preheat and prepare: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Separate dough into 33 pieces: Cut the bread dough into 33 pieces, about 1-inch each.
Stuff each piece with cheese: Work each piece of dough into a disc shape and place a piece of the cheese stick in the center. Close up the dough, pressing the seams shut, so it’s like a little ball.
Arrange on prepared pan: Arrange the ball on the prepared pan into a Christmas tree/ large triangle. Starting at the top, they will be ordered in the follow rows: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Place 3 extra balls at the top to represent the star, and two at the bottom for the base of the tree.
Mix together the butter and spices: In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
Brush butter on dough balls: Brush the butter on the dough balls using a pastry brush.
Bake: Bake 16-18 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 527mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
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