Description

This Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft pizza dough is filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic, then baked into a charming tree shape. Brushed with buttery garlic parsley topping and served with marinara sauce, it’s an irresistible treat for sharing.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough and Cheese

1 pound prepared pizza dough
8 mozzarella cheese sticks

Seasonings and Toppings

1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
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

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Dough: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Let the prepared pizza dough rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to make it easier to work with.
Cut Cheese and Dough: Slice each of the 8 mozzarella sticks into 4 bite-sized pieces, totaling 32 pieces. Roll out the dough and cut it into 32 equal squares to match the cheese pieces.
Assemble Cheese in Dough: Place one mozzarella piece on each dough square. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and garlic powder over the cheese. Fold the dough edges up around the cheese, pinch to seal, and gently roll into balls to encase the cheese completely.
Shape the Tree: Arrange the dough balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree with a small trunk at the bottom, leaving 3 extra balls placed separately for baking on the side. Whisk the egg with water and brush each ball with the egg wash to ensure a golden finish.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese inside has melted completely.
Add Finishing Touches: Once out of the oven, brush the warm bread with melted butter, then sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor and a festive look.
Serve: Serve immediately with marinara sauce or your choice of dipping sauce to enjoy the melty cheesy goodness.

Notes

Make sure the dough is at room temperature before cutting to avoid tearing.
The egg wash helps create a shiny, golden crust but can be omitted for an egg-free version.
Use fresh mozzarella sticks for best melting and texture.
These pull-apart rolls are best enjoyed warm on the day they are baked.
You can add red pepper flakes or extra garlic powder inside for a spicy twist.