Description
This Festive & Irresistible Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread is a warm, gooey, golden, Christmas tree–shaped appetizer that instantly brightens any holiday table. Soft dough balls filled with melty mozzarella are baked to perfection and brushed with garlic butter for incredible flavor. Fun, shareable, and perfect for Christmas Eve parties, potlucks, family gatherings, and cozy movie nights.
Ingredients
Scale
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Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough or biscuit dough (or homemade dough)
- 24–28 cubes of mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: marinara or pesto for dipping
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Alternative – Garlic Knot Christmas Tree:
- Dough strips tied into knots
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Pizza Tree Pull Apart Option:
- Add a teaspoon of pizza sauce inside each dough ball
- Mozzarella or mozzarella–cheddar blend
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: Unroll pizza dough and cut into 2×2 inch squares, or divide homemade dough into small portions.
- Add Cheese: Place a mozzarella cube in each dough square, fold, seal well, and roll into balls.
- Shape the Tree: Arrange dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet to form a Christmas tree shape.
- Brush with Garlic Butter: Mix melted butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. Brush generously over the dough.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and the cheese melts inside.
- Finish: Brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Garlic Knot Method:
- Cut dough into strips.
- Tie each strip into a knot.
- Arrange knots in a tree shape.
- Brush with garlic butter and bake.
Pizza Tree Variation:
- Add pizza sauce inside dough balls.
- Use mozzarella or a mozzarella–cheddar blend.
- Serve with extra pizza sauce.
Notes
- Seal dough tightly to prevent cheese leakage.
- Arrange balls close together so the tree shape stays connected.
- Brush garlic butter immediately after baking for maximum flavor.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal.
- Fresh herbs make the bread look extra festive.
- Avoid overbaking to keep dough soft and fluffy.