Description
This festive Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is a fun and delicious holiday appetizer featuring soft, cheesy rolls arranged in a tree shape. Made with prepared pizza dough and gooey mozzarella cheese, seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic, and baked to golden perfection, it’s perfect for dipping in marinara sauce and sharing with family and friends during the holidays.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread and Filling
- 1 pound prepared pizza dough
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Egg Wash and Topping
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
For Serving
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Allow the prepared pizza dough to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes to make it easier to work with.
- Prepare Cheese and Dough Squares: Cut each mozzarella cheese stick into 4 pieces, creating 32 small cheese cubes. Roll out the dough and cut it into 32 equal squares to match the cheese pieces.
- Assemble Cheese Balls: Place one mozzarella cube on each dough square. Sprinkle each with Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Fold the dough edges up around the cheese, pinch closed securely, and roll gently into a ball shape.
- Arrange the Bread Balls: Place the dough balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, arranging them in the shape of a Christmas tree with a small trunk at the bottom. You will have 3 extra balls that can be baked on the side.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk together the large egg and water in a small bowl, then brush the egg wash over each dough ball to help them brown beautifully during baking.
- Bake: Bake the tree and extra rolls for 16-18 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese inside has melted to gooey perfection.
- Finishing Touches: Remove from the oven and immediately brush the baked rolls with melted butter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese for added flavor and a festive look.
- Serve: Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce, perfect for sharing during holiday gatherings!
Notes
- This pull-apart bread makes a great center-plate appetizer for holiday parties.
- Use prepared pizza dough for convenience and a deliciously soft texture.
- The mozzarella cheese inside melts perfectly, so be careful when eating as it will be very hot right out of the oven.
- Try adding different herbs or dipping sauces for variations.
- Can be made ahead and reheated gently in the oven before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 ounces
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 818 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 46 mg
