Why Make This Recipe
Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a fun and festive dish perfect for holiday gatherings. It’s easy to make and adds a touch of joy to any table. With gooey cheese and fresh herbs, this bread is sure to delight friends and family. Plus, it’s great for sharing, making it an ideal appetizer for parties.
How to Make Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
Ingredients:
- 13 ounce canned refrigerator pizza dough
- Parchment paper (for lining baking sheet)
- 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 large egg (+ 1 tablespoon water for egg wash)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil (finely chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- 1 jar marinara and/or pesto (for dipping)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the pizza dough into 30 approximately equal squares. Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks into 30 bite-sized (1 inch) pieces.
- Place a piece of mozzarella in the center of each square of dough, then form a ball by rolling it in your hands to seal the edges.
- Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet seam side down in the shape of a tree, making sure the balls are touching.
- In a small bowl, blend the egg and water and lightly brush each ball with this egg wash.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the bread is baking, melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in half of the parmesan cheese and all of the grated garlic and herbs.
- Brush the melted mixture onto the rolls, then sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top. Serve right away with marinara and/or pesto for dipping.
How to Serve Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is best served warm. Place it in the center of your table surrounded by bowls of marinara and pesto for dipping. It’s a great way to get everyone involved, as they can pull apart the dough balls and enjoy the gooey cheese inside.
How to Store Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through, or in a microwave for quicker reheating.
Tips to Make Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- Make sure to tightly seal the dough around the cheese to prevent leakage during baking.
- Experiment with different cheeses and herbs to match your taste.
- Use a larger pizza dough if you want a bigger tree or larger bread balls!
Variation
You can add cooked spinach for a cheesy spinach bread variation or incorporate different cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack for a spicy kick.
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade pizza dough?
Yes, homemade pizza dough works great! Just ensure it has a similar texture to rolled refrigerator dough.
2. How long does it take to make this bread?
From start to finish, it typically takes around 30-40 minutes, including baking time.
3. Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the balls in advance and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. Just brush the egg wash right before baking.
Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fun and festive bread shaped like a Christmas tree, filled with gooey cheese and fresh herbs, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 13 ounces canned refrigerator pizza dough
- Parchment paper (for lining baking sheet)
- 6–7 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 large egg (+ 1 tablespoon water for egg wash)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil (finely chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- 1 jar marinara and/or pesto (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the pizza dough into 30 approximately equal squares. Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks into 30 bite-sized (1 inch) pieces.
- Place a piece of mozzarella in the center of each square of dough, then form a ball by rolling it in your hands to seal the edges.
- Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet seam side down in the shape of a tree, making sure the balls are touching.
- In a small bowl, blend the egg and water and lightly brush each ball with this egg wash.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the bread is baking, melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in half of the parmesan cheese and all of the grated garlic and herbs.
- Brush the melted mixture onto the rolls, then sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top. Serve right away with marinara and/or pesto for dipping.
Notes
Serve warm for the best experience. Tightly seal the dough around the cheese to prevent leakage during baking. Can experiment with different cheeses and herbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
