Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is the ultimate holiday appetizer — warm, soft, pull-apart bread balls filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, brushed with herby garlic butter, and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan. It’s easy to make with refrigerated pizza dough, and when served with marinara or pesto for dipping, it becomes a showstopping centerpiece for any festive table!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive and fun: Perfect centerpiece for Christmas or any holiday party.
• Quick to make: Uses store-bought pizza dough for minimal prep.
• Cheesy and garlicky: Melted mozzarella in every bite, with a buttery herb topping.
• Crowd-pleaser: A pull-apart appetizer everyone will love!

🕒 Quick Facts

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 16–18 minutes
• Total Time: 25–30 minutes
• Course: Appetizer
• Cuisine: American
• Servings: 15
• Keywords: pull-apart bread, cheesy bread, holiday appetizers, Christmas tree bread

🧂 Ingredients

Main

• 13 oz refrigerated pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Parchment paper, for lining baking sheet
• 6–7 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 30 total)
• 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water, whisked for egg wash

Garlic Herb Butter

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ½ tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• ½ tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, grated or minced

For Serving

• 1 jar marinara sauce (warmed)
• Pesto for dipping (optional)

🔪 Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat and Prep

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2️⃣ Fill the Dough

1. Cut the pizza dough into 30 equal squares.
2. Cut mozzarella sticks into 30 bite-sized (1-inch) pieces.
3. Place one piece of cheese into the center of each dough square, then roll the dough into a ball, pinching and sealing the edges well to keep the cheese inside.

3️⃣ Shape the Tree

Place the dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree — start with one ball at the top, then build rows (about 5–6 at the base) so the edges touch slightly.

4️⃣ Brush and Bake

1. Lightly brush each ball with the egg wash for a golden finish.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 16–18 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

5️⃣ Make the Garlic Herb Butter

While the bread bakes, melt the butter in a small bowl.
Stir in:

• Half of the Parmesan cheese
• Garlic, parsley, rosemary, and basil

6️⃣ Brush and Serve

1. Once the bread is out of the oven, brush it generously with the garlic herb butter.
2. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
3. Serve warm with marinara and pesto for dipping.

🎅 Tips for Success

• Seal tightly: Make sure each dough ball is well-sealed to prevent cheese from oozing out.
• Make ahead: Assemble the tree, cover, and refrigerate up to 8 hours before baking.
• Reheat: Warm leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.
• Herb swaps: Use dried herbs if needed — 1 teaspoon total mixed herbs works great.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Pair this festive pull-apart bread with:

• Tomato Basil Soup
• White Chicken Chili
• A cozy holiday charcuterie board
• Or as part of your Christmas dinner spread!

🧀 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

• Calories: ~180 kcal
• Carbs: 14 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 10 g
• Sodium: 250 mg

✨ Make It Your Own

• Add spice: Sprinkle chili flakes or smoked paprika into the butter.
• Cheese lovers: Add shredded mozzarella or fontina inside for extra gooeyness.
• Sweet version: Skip garlic and herbs, brush with butter + cinnamon sugar, and serve with icing dip!

💚 Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is the kind of recipe that brings people together — warm, buttery, and filled with melty cheese. It’s festive, fun, and ridiculously delicious, making it the perfect addition to your holiday appetizer table or Christmas Eve party.

Serve it hot, watch it disappear, and enjoy every cheesy, garlicky bite.

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