Easy Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is the kind of appetizer that makes everyone smile as soon as they see it. It’s shaped like a Christmas tree and loaded with melty mozzarella, all thanks to store-bought pizza dough. This makes it super simple, even if you don’t spend much time in the kitchen. You get that satisfying cheese pull with every bite, and the golden garlic herb butter on top smells amazing while it bakes. It’s perfect for holiday parties because it’s easy to share, or even just a fun addition to a cozy night in during December. Everyone loves a festive snack, and this one delivers on both looks and taste without being complicated.

Why We Love This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

This bread is a winner because it’s incredibly easy and uses ingredients you likely already have or can grab easily. The visual appeal is high, making it a showstopper on any holiday table. It’s a savory alternative to cookies and is always a hit with kids and adults alike. The combination of soft, gooey cheese, herby butter, and tender bread is just fantastic for the season.

Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a fun and festive appetizer that’s surprisingly simple to make. It’s built around store-bought pizza dough, making it accessible even for beginners in the kitchen. The dough is cut and shaped to resemble a Christmas tree, and then loaded with stretchy mozzarella cheese. A savory garlic herb butter brushed over the top gives it a beautiful golden finish and a wonderful aroma that fills the house during the holidays. This bread is perfect for sharing at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just as a special treat for family movie night.

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)

Preparing the Dough and Cheese

The first step is to get our ingredients ready to assemble the tree. You’ll want to preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This moderate temperature ensures the dough bakes evenly without burning too quickly, allowing the cheese inside to melt perfectly. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This is really important because it prevents the dough from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. You don’t want your beautiful Christmas tree bread to get stuck to the pan!

Next, unroll the 13-ounce can of refrigerator pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. You don’t need to be a pastry chef for this part. Just gently unroll it. If it’s very sticky, a little extra flour on your hands and the surface will help. We’re going to cut this dough into strips to form the tree. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into strips that are about 1 inch wide. You’ll want to cut these strips in varying lengths so that when we layer them, they create a tiered tree effect. Some strips should be longer for the base, and progressively shorter for the upper layers.

Now for the cheesy goodness. Take your 6 to 7 mozzarella cheese sticks and cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces. You can slice them into rounds or quarters, depending on how big you want the cheese “ornaments” to be. The key is to have pieces that are small enough to be enclosed within the dough strips but substantial enough to provide that satisfying cheesy pull when you bite into it. Having about 6-7 cheese sticks usually provides a good amount of cheese for this size of dough.

Assembling the Christmas Tree

This is where the magic happens and our tree starts to take shape. Take your first strip of pizza dough, which will be the base of your tree. Lay a few pieces of mozzarella cheese along the center of the strip. Then, fold the dough over the cheese and pinch the edges firmly to seal it completely. You want to make sure no cheese can escape during baking. Think of it like making a small calzone or a filled breadstick. Repeat this process with all your dough strips, layering the cheese inside each one. Vary the amount of cheese you put in each strip; some can be cheesier than others.

Once you have your cheese-filled dough strips, it’s time to arrange them on the prepared baking sheet to form the tree. Start by placing the longest strip at the bottom of the baking sheet to create the base of the tree. Then, layer a slightly shorter strip above it, overlapping the ends slightly. Continue layering the strips, each one progressively shorter than the one below it, until you reach the top of the tree. You might need to trim a few strips to get the desired triangular shape. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly symmetrical; a slightly rustic look is part of its charm.

The Flavorful Finish

To make our tree really shine, we’ll prepare a delicious herb butter. In a small bowl, combine the 3 tablespoons of melted butter. To this, add the grated clove of garlic. Grating the garlic instead of mincing it helps it distribute more evenly and gives a smoother garlic flavor without any harsh bits. Stir in the 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary, and 1/2 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh basil. The combination of these fresh herbs with the garlic and butter creates an incredibly fragrant and savory coating.

Now, sprinkle about half of the 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese into this herb butter mixture and stir to combine. This adds another layer of cheesy, nutty flavor. Brush this herb and parmesan butter generously all over the assembled dough tree. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. This butter not only adds incredible flavor but also helps the dough turn a beautiful golden brown as it bakes.

For that extra festive touch and a lovely glossy finish, we’ll make an egg wash. In a small separate bowl, whisk together the large egg with 1 tablespoon of water. This simple mixture, when brushed over the dough, creates a beautiful sheen and helps the top layer of parmesan cheese adhere. Brush this egg wash lightly over the entire tree, focusing on the dough parts. Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the entire tree. This will create a lovely cheesy crust.

Baking and Serving

Place the baking sheet with your decorated Christmas tree bread into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is puffed up, golden brown, and the cheese inside is melted and gooey. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time to prevent burning. The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven, so look for visual cues.

Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread from the oven. Let it cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a serving platter. This allows the cheese inside to set up slightly, so it doesn’t all ooze out when you cut into it. Serve warm with your favorite jar of marinara sauce and/or pesto for dipping. This bread is best enjoyed fresh, when the cheese is melty and the crust is still a little crispy.

Conclusion:

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is truly a festive and fun recipe that’s a joy to make and even more fun to eat. Using pizza dough makes it accessible for everyone, and the mozzarella cheese filling ensures a satisfying, gooey center. It’s a fantastic way to add some edible holiday cheer to your gatherings. Serve it warm as a centerpiece appetizer, and watch it disappear quickly. For a twist, try adding some finely diced red bell pepper or jalapeño to the cheese filling for a pop of color and a little heat.

Serving Suggestions: This bread is wonderful on its own, but it’s also great served with a side of warm marinara sauce or pesto for dipping. A simple side salad can also make this a light lunch or dinner option.

Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like provolone or a mild cheddar mixed with the mozzarella. You can also swap out the herbs in the butter for different flavor profiles – thyme or sage work well. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can assemble the bread a few hours before baking and keep it covered in the refrigerator. For best results, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. The garlic herb butter is best brushed on right before it goes into the oven.

How do I get the tree shape right?

Start by cutting a large triangle shape from the pizza dough. Then, cut strips along the sides and fold them inwards to create branches. Don’t worry about perfection; a slightly rustic look adds to its homemade charm. The cheese filling will help hold its shape as it bakes.

Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

A fun and festive appetizer made from pizza dough and cheese, shaped like a Christmas tree and perfect for holiday gatherings.

Prep Time
20 Minutes

Cook Time
20 Minutes

Total Time
40 Minutes

Servings
1 Christmas Tree

Ingredients

• 13 ounce canned refrigerator pizza dough
• 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 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

1. Step 1
   Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2
   Unroll the pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into strips approximately 1 inch wide.
3. Step 3
   Cut each mozzarella cheese stick in half lengthwise. Place one half of a mozzarella stick at the end of a dough strip and wrap the dough around it. Continue wrapping the dough up the cheese stick in a spiral, creating a tree shape.
4. Step 4
   Arrange the dough-covered cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet, forming a Christmas tree shape with the wider bases at the bottom and tapering to a point at the top. You may need to trim dough to fit.
5. Step 5
   In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, rosemary, basil, and grated garlic. Brush this mixture evenly over the dough trees.
6. Step 6
   In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the dough for a golden finish.
7. Step 7
   Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Step 8
   Serve warm with marinara and/or pesto for dipping.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.