Bring some holiday cheer to your table with this Festive Christmas Tree Bread Appetizer! This delightful pull-apart bread is shaped like a Christmas tree and filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, making it a fun and delicious centerpiece for any holiday gathering. Brushed with a savory blend of melted butter, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, each bite offers a burst of festive flavor that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a cozy family night, this appetizer is sure to impress and become a holiday favorite!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Festive Presentation: Shaping the bread into a Christmas tree adds a fun and festive touch to your holiday table, making it a delightful centerpiece that’s sure to impress your guests.
- Delicious Flavor: Each dough ball is filled with gooey mozzarella cheese and brushed with a savory mixture of butter, Parmesan, and herbs, offering a burst of delicious flavors in every bite.
- Easy to Share: This pull-apart bread is perfect for sharing, allowing everyone to easily grab a piece, making it a great Appetizer for holiday gatherings and parties.
🥘 Ingredients
- Chilled Pizza Dough: Ready-made pizza dough provides a convenient and versatile base for creating delicious and fluffy dough balls, perfect for wrapping around the mozzarella cheese.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully, offering a gooey and creamy center for each dough ball, enhancing the overall taste and texture.
- Melted Butter: Melted butter adds a rich and savory flavor, helping to crisp up the dough balls and giving them a beautiful golden brown finish.
- Finely Grated Parmesan: Parmesan cheese brings a sharp and nutty flavor, complementing the melted butter and herbs, and adding a deliciously savory crust to the dough balls.
- Chopped Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a burst of color and a mild, herbaceous flavor that brightens up the dish.
- Chopped Rosemary: Rosemary provides a fragrant, piney aroma and a slightly peppery taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dough balls.
- Egg: An egg wash helps to give the dough balls a glossy and golden appearance while also helping the butter and herb mixture adhere better.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Substitute with Bread Dough: Use store-bought or homemade bread dough for a slightly different texture.
- Gluten-Free Dough: Opt for a gluten-free pizza dough to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Cheddar Cheese: Substitute with cheddar for a sharper flavor.
- Vegan Cheese: Use a plant-based cheese alternative for a vegan version.
- Nutritional Yeast: Use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free and vegan substitute that adds a cheesy flavor.
- Grated Asiago or Pecorino Romano: These cheeses provide a similar salty and nutty flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add Jalapeños: Include finely chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes in the filling for a spicy twist.
- Meaty Addition: Pepperoni or Salami: Add small slices of pepperoni or salami or bacon bits inside each dough ball for a meaty surprise.
- Cranberry and Brie: Fill with pieces of brie cheese and a dollop of cranberry sauce for a festive flavor combination.
🔪 How To Make A Christmas Tree Bread Appetizer
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Cut the mozzarella cheese into small, 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces and set aside.
- Step 2: Divide the pizza dough into two equal parts. Stretch and roll each piece of dough into a long rectangle. Cut the dough into 2-inch squares, aiming for a total of 33 squares.
- Step 3: Wrap each square of dough around a piece of mozzarella, forming a tightly sealed ball. Arrange the dough balls on a baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree, with the seams facing down and the balls touching each other.
- Step 4: Brush the dough balls with the egg mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Step 5: While the dough balls are baking, mix the melted butter and parmesan cheese and herbs ready to place on top of the Christmas tree bread.
- Step 6: Once the dough balls are baked, brush them with the butter mixture. Serve the pizza balls warm with your favorite tomato sauce for dipping.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Use Chilled Dough: Working with chilled pizza dough makes it easier to handle and shape, ensuring your dough balls come out perfectly round.
- Seal Tightly: Make sure to seal the dough balls tightly around the mozzarella to prevent any cheese from leaking out during baking.
- Uniform Size: Cut the dough into uniform squares to ensure even cooking and a consistent look for your pull-apart bread.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheating your oven to the correct temperature ensures the dough balls bake evenly and achieve a beautiful golden brown color.
- Brush with Egg Wash: An egg wash gives the bread a shiny, golden finish and helps the butter and herb mixture adhere better.
💭 FAQs
Can I use store-bought dough for this recipe?
Yes, using store-bought pizza dough or crescent roll dough is a convenient option that saves time and still yields delicious results.
How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking?
To minimize cheese leakage, ensure each dough ball is sealed tightly by pinching the edges together before baking.
What dipping sauces pair well with this appetizer?
Marinara sauce and pesto are popular choices that complement the flavors of the cheesy garlic bread.
Best Way to Store Christmas Tree Bread Appetizer
Allow the pull-apart bread to cool completely at room temperature. Wrap the bread tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Place the wrapped bread in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Store the bread in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Pair this Christmas Tree Bread Appetizer With These:
Dipping Sauces:
- Marinara Sauce: A classic choice, providing a tangy and rich complement to the cheesy bread.
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy and herbaceous, perfect for balancing the savory flavors.
- Garlic Aioli: Adds a robust, garlicky flavor that pairs wonderfully with the bread.
- Pesto Sauce: Fresh and vibrant, offering a burst of basil and garlic goodness.
Salads:
- Chicken Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine lettuce with a tangy Caesar dressing and croutons adds a refreshing crunch.
- Caprese Salad: Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze provide a light and flavorful side.
- Kale Apple Salad WIth Pomegrantes: A simple Kale salad with pomegrantes and a light vinaigrette.
Soups:
- Tomato Basil Soup: Rich and creamy, perfect for dipping the bread.
- Minestrone: A hearty vegetable soup that pairs well with the savory appetizer.
- Butternut Squash Soup: Sweet and creamy, offering a lovely contrast to the savory bread.
Charcuterie Board:
- Assorted Meats and Cheeses: Include prosciutto, salami, various cheeses, and some fresh fruits for a delightful spread.
- Olives and Pickles: Add a tangy and salty element that complements the bread.
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Christmas Tree Bread Appetizer
Delight your guests with this festive Christmas Tree Bread Appetizer! Shaped like a holiday tree and filled with savory cheese, herbs, and garlic, this pull-apart bread is not only delicious but also a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table. Perfect for sharing, this warm and gooey appetizer will have everyone reaching for another piece. It's the perfect way to kick off your Christmas feast!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chilled Pizza Dough
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
- ¼ Cups Butter Melted
- ½ Cups Finely Grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Parsley
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Rosemary
- 1 Egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Cut the mozzarella cheese into small, 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces and set aside.
- Divide the pizza dough into two equal parts. Stretch and roll each piece of dough into a long rectangle. Cut the dough into 2-inch squares, aiming for a total of 33 squares.
- Wrap each square of dough around a piece of mozzarella, forming a tightly sealed ball. Arrange the dough balls on a baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree, with the seams facing down and the balls touching each other.
- Brush the dough balls with the egg mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
Use Chilled Dough: Working with chilled pizza dough makes it easier to handle and shape, ensuring your dough balls come out perfectly round.
Seal Tightly: Make sure to seal the dough balls tightly around the mozzarella to prevent any cheese from leaking out during baking.
Uniform Size: Cut the dough into uniform squares to ensure even cooking and a consistent look for your pull-apart bread.
Preheat the Oven: Preheating your oven to the correct temperature ensures the dough balls bake evenly and achieve a beautiful golden brown color.
Brush with Egg Wash: An egg wash gives the bread a shiny, golden finish and helps the butter and herb mixture adhere better.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 178kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 7gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 441mgPotassium: 24mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 270IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 1mg
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This cheesy Christmas tree is the ultimate holiday centerpiece—fun to assemble, delightful to share, and guaranteed to disappear faster than Santa up the chimney!