Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
Simple pull-apart Christmas tree bread that will be the star of your holiday table.
December is jam packed with holiday party after holiday party and this easy appetizer made with simple ingredients is the perfect addition to any gathering!
Ingredients at a glance
- Pizza dough – thank goodness for store-bought pizza dough, you can find this in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store.
- Mozzarella cheese – I love using fresh mozzarella balls in this recipe, they melt in the best, creamiest way. Other recipes use mozzarella sticks cut up into equal pieces which you can also do if it is all you have on hand.
- Egg wash – an egg wash is simply 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water. You will brush the tops of your dough balls with this before baking and it will create a lovely golden brown sheen.
- Garlic salt – you will sprinkle this across the top of your dough balls before baking and it will add a yummy garlic bread flavor to this simple appetizer!
- Butter – melted and drizzled over your Christmas tree pull-apart bread to make this extra delicious.
- Parmesan cheese – sprinkled over the top of your pull-apart bread before serving to add a salty, nutty flavor.
- Fresh basil and parsley – fresh herbs make everything better! I love how the addition of the basil and parsley adds a bit of Italian seasoning flavor and a pop of vibrant green.
- Pizza sauce – you can use pizza sauce or your favorite marinara sauce for dipping, make sure to warm it up before serving!
Assembling your Christmas tree pull-apart bread
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
- On a clean floured surface open the tube of pizza dough and stretch or roll it out until it is in the shape of a large rectangle.
- Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife cut 5 horizontal slices and 3 vertical slices until you create 24 even squares.
- Place 1-3 mozzarella balls (depending on the size of the balls) in the center of each square of pizza dough.
- Bring each corner of the dough together and form into a tightly sealed ball. Repeat the steps with the remaining piece of dough.
- Line a large baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
- Arrange all of the balls of dough on your prepared baking sheet into the shape of a Christmas tree. If you are having a difficult time creating that perfect Christmas tree shape feel free to reference the picture and copy the numbering exactly.
- In a small bowl whisk together the egg and water creating your egg wash and brush over the top of your assembled Christmas tree with a pastry brush.
- Sprinkle with garlic salt.
- Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
- While the Christmas tree pull-apart bread is baking melt your butter in a small bowl.
- Whisk together the melted butter, parmesan cheese, basil and parsley.
- After removing the Christmas tree pull-apart bread from the oven drizzle the butter mixture.
- Top with additional parmesan cheese, fresh herbs and red pepper flakes (if desired)
- Serve while warm with marinara for dipping!
FAQ’s
Can I make Christmas tree pull-apart bread ahead of time?
You certainly can! Feel free to completely assemble your Christmas tree pull-apart bread (minus adding the egg wash) and cover tightly in plastic wrap. Keep your baking dish refrigerated for up to a day before allowing to come to room temperature and baking according to the recipe.
Can I use a different type of cheese in this Christmas tree pull-apart recipe?
Any type of melty cheese will do the trick! Besides using mozzarella you could try provolone or montery jack.
How do I store leftover Christmas tree pull-apart bread?
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3 days. Simply reheat in the microwave or for best results the oven.
Are there any variations of Christmas tree pull-apart bread?
Besides using different types of cheese you can add an array of different dipping sauces. Alfredo, ranch and pesto are just a few that come to mind!
Recipe
- 1 can of pizza dough
- 1 container of fresh mozzarella balls
- 1 egg + 1 tbs water (egg wash)
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 3 tbs butter
- 1/3 grated parmesan cheese
- fresh basil
- fresh parsley
- marinara for dipping
Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients
- 1 Can Pizza Dough
- 8 oz Mozzarella Balls or Pearls
- 1 Egg + 1TBSP Water
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp Garlic Salt
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Parsley
- Marinara for Dipping as desired
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 450 degrees F
- Roll your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut 5 horizontal lines and 3 vertical lines to create 24 even squares
- Place 1-3 mozzarella balls in the center of each square (depending on how large the ball is)
- fold the corners together and form a tightly sealed ball
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and form the balls into a christmas tree shape.
- Make your egg wash by mixing your egg and water. Brush ontop of all the bread balls.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown
- In a small pot, melt your butter, parmesan cheese, and finely cut herbs.
- Once the bread is done baking drizzle or brush the butter mixture over top the bread
- Top with additional parmesn cheese, herbs, and red pepper flakes and serve warm with a side of Marinara sauce
Nutrition
Calories: 254kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 46mg, Sodium: 488mg, Potassium: 17mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 197IU, Calcium: 142mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.