Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft pizza dough surrounds gooey mozzarella bites, baked to a golden finish and brushed with a flavorful herb butter. Serve it with marinara or pesto for a delicious crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 13 ounces canned refrigerator pizza dough
• Parchment paper for lining baking sheet
• 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1 large egg plus 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1 jar marinara and/or pesto, for dipping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Cut the pizza dough into approximately 30 equal squares. Cut the mozzarella sticks into 30 bite-size pieces, about 1 inch each.
3. Step 3: Place one piece of mozzarella onto each dough square. Fold the dough around the cheese and roll into a ball, smoothing and sealing the edges.
4. Step 4: Arrange the dough balls seam side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree, with the balls touching each other.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash. Lightly brush each dough ball with the egg wash.
6. Step 6: Bake for 16-18 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
7. Step 7: While baking, microwave the melted butter until warm, then stir in half of the grated Parmesan, the grated garlic, and the chopped herbs (parsley, rosemary, basil).
8. Step 8: When the bread comes out of the oven, brush the herb butter mixture generously over the rolls. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
9. Step 9: Serve immediately with marinara sauce and/or pesto for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• For an extra cheesy center, add a small cube of mozzarella in addition to the cheese stick piece inside each dough ball.
• You can substitute fresh herbs with 1 teaspoon each of dried parsley, rosemary, and basil if fresh isn’t available.
• Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the herb butter for a subtle kick.
• Form the dough balls into other festive shapes like wreaths or stars for variety.

Storage

Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of canned dough?

Yes, homemade pizza dough works perfectly. Make sure it’s well chilled and rolled out evenly before cutting into squares.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh herbs?

Dried herbs can be substituted — use about one-third the amount called for fresh since dried herbs are more concentrated. Mix them well into the butter before brushing.

Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 92 reviews

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with soft pizza dough wrapped around gooey mozzarella cheese, baked until golden, and brushed with a flavorful garlic herb butter and parmesan topping, it’s both visually stunning and delicious. Serve with marinara or pesto for dipping to impress your guests with this savory, pull-apart treat.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 30 cheese-filled bread bites 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Dough and Cheese

• 13 ounce canned refrigerator pizza dough
• 6–7 mozzarella cheese sticks
• Parchment paper for lining baking sheet

Egg Wash

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Herb Butter Topping

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, grated

Dipping Sauce

• 1 jar marinara sauce and/or pesto for dipping

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
2. Cut Dough and Cheese: Divide the pizza dough into approximately 30 equal squares. Cut the mozzarella sticks into 30 bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch each, ready to be wrapped in dough.
3. Form Cheese-Filled Dough Balls: Place one piece of mozzarella onto each square of dough, then gently roll the dough around the cheese to form a smooth, sealed ball, ensuring the cheese is fully enclosed.
4. Shape Tree and Apply Egg Wash: Arrange the balls seam side down on the prepared baking sheet, closely grouped to form the shape of a Christmas tree. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make the egg wash, then lightly brush over each dough ball to encourage browning and add shine.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes or until the dough balls are golden brown and cooked through.
6. Prepare Herb Butter and Finish: While baking, melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in half of the grated parmesan cheese, the grated garlic, and all chopped herbs (parsley, rosemary, basil). After baking, brush this flavorful herb butter over the warm rolls, then sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top for a cheesy finish.
7. Serve: Serve the cheesy bread immediately with marinara sauce and/or pesto for dipping, allowing guests to pull apart and enjoy the gooey, savory bites.

Notes

• Make sure to seal the dough around the mozzarella completely to avoid cheese leaking during baking.
• Use fresh herbs for the best flavor in the herb butter topping.
• You can customize dipping sauces to your liking, such as adding a spicy arrabbiata or creamy garlic dip.
• This recipe works well with store-bought pizza dough to save time.
• Serve warm for optimal gooey cheese texture.

Keywords: Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread, Holiday Appetizer, Mozzarella Bread Balls, Festive Pull-Apart Bread, Garlic Herb Bread Dunkers