Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
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.
- 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
Scale
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes or until the dough balls are golden brown and cooked through.
- 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.
- 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
Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/cheesy-christmas-tree-bread-recipe/
