Description
Celebrate the holidays with this festive Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread, a delightful pull-apart appetizer featuring soft pizza dough balls stuffed with gooey mozzarella and infused with fragrant herb butter. Baked to golden perfection and adorned with a parmesan and parsley topping, this shareable treat pairs perfectly with marinara or pesto dipping sauces, making it an irresistible centerpiece for any festive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Cheese
- 13 oz canned refrigerator pizza dough
- 6–7 mozzarella cheese sticks
Herb Butter Mixture
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Other
- Parchment paper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 jar marinara and/or pesto (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Prepare Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the grated garlic, chopped parsley, rosemary, basil, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful herb butter mixture.
- Prepare Dough and Mozzarella: Unroll the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into approximately 2-inch circles. Cut the mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces, preparing for assembly.
- Assemble Cheesy Balls: Place one piece of mozzarella and a small dollop of herb butter mixture in the center of each dough circle. Carefully pinch the edges together to seal tightly, forming small round balls. Roll gently to ensure the seams are secure. Repeat for each circle.
- Shape Christmas Tree: Arrange the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Leave small gaps between each ball to allow for expansion during baking. For the tree trunk, position 2-3 balls directly below the widest part of the tree.
- Apply Egg Wash and Topping: Whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush it gently over all the dough balls to help them brown beautifully. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley over the top to add extra flavor and festive color.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and bubbly. If the bread starts browning too fast, tent loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Serve Warm: Remove the Christmas Tree bread from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm, encouraging everyone to pull apart the cheesy bread balls. Provide marinara and/or pesto sauces for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for the best aroma and flavor intensity in the herb butter.
- Ensure the edges of the dough balls are well sealed to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- You can substitute mozzarella sticks with shredded mozzarella if preferred, but whole pieces help the pull-apart effect.
- Leftover herb butter can be used as a finishing glaze or for dipping.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor, as the bread tends to harden once completely cooled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Christmas bread, cheesy pull-apart bread, holiday appetizer, mozzarella bread balls, herb butter bread, festive party food
