Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread recipe is easy to make from refrigerated pizza dough, plenty of cheese, plus egg, butter, garlic, and herbs.
This simple tree-shaped appetizer or side dish is perfect for sharing during the holiday season and tastes delicious when dipped in marinara sauce.
Cheesy Christmas Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
Our Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree appetizer or side is so simple to make using store-bought dough, a package of mozzarella pearls, parmesan, egg, and a garlic and herb butter mixture.
This cheesy Christmas tree is served tear-and-share style and is formed from soft and fluffy baked pizza balls that have been stuffed and trimmed with tasty flavors.
This Christmas tree pull-apart bread recipe begins by forming balls of dough that are filled with cheese, arranging them in the shape of a tree, brushing them with egg, and baking until golden brown.
Once covered in the melted butter mixture, your Christmas tree rolls are ready for showcasing as a sharable centerpiece or serving alongside your favorite soup, salad, or main meal.
Why We Love This Pullapart Stuffed Cheese Christmas Tree Recipe
- Quick and easy to make.
- Shortcut recipe uses store-bought dough plus a few other simple ingredients.
- The tear and share aspect makes it great for groups.
- Christmas tree recipes are fun and festive.
- Pull-apart Christmas tree is the perfect savory side for the holidays, appetizer for Christmas, and is an adorable addition to any game day spread.
More Christmas Recipes
Ingredients
- Pillsbury Pizza dough
- Mozzarella pearls
- Egg
- Butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
- Parsley flakes
- Rosemary
- Garlic
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Substitutions and Additions
- Serve With Sauce: Serve your Christmas tree pizza style with marinara, pesto, or pizza sauce for dipping.
- Choose Your Cheese: Instead of mozzarella pearls, you can stuff your dough with mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 1-2” bites. Or, feel free to use your favorite variety of cheese such as cheddar, Monterey jack, or Colby.
- Add Some Spice: You can add some red pepper flakes to the melted butter mixture and stuff the pizza dough with pepper jack cheese for a spicy Christmas tree pull apart bread.
- Swap The Shape: You can revise this recipe for so many holidays and celebrations. It’s easy to bake your bread in different shapes, such as a heart for Valentine’s Day, a pumpkin for Halloween, or a wreath for the winter season.
Recommended Tools
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pizza cutter
- Silicone brush
- Mixing bowl
See Full Recipe Card Below
Jump to RecipeHow to Make Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree
- Prepare The Pizza Dough: Unroll pizza dough, lay it flat, and stretch out the sides. Divide pizza dough into 30 squares.
- Stuff The Squares: Wrap 2-3 mozzarella pearls in each square and roll into a tightly sealed ball.
- Place On Parchment Paper: Place balls seam side down, on the parchment paper in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Pro Tip: You will want to mark out your Christmas tree shape beforehand with 7 balls on the bottom, removing one ball for each layer, and two balls on the bottom for the stand. - Bake: Brush the top of your Christmas tree with the egg and bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
- Make The Butter Mixture: Whisk together melted butter, parmesan, basil, parsley, rosemary, and garlic and brush it over the baked bread.
- Serve: Cool for 5 minutes before serving with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
Tip From Our Recipe Developer
- Make sure to fold the edges of the dough together and place the balls seam-side down to help prevent the cheese from oozing out.
- Make sure to unroll the dough on a floured surface to avoid it sticking.
- For a cleaner Christmas tree look, carefully remove excess cheese and herbs from the sides 2-3 minutes after the tree comes out of the oven.
Storage
- To Store: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Other Easy Pull-Apart Bread Recipes
- Cheesy Pull Apart Bread {with garlic, bacon and jalapeno}
- Pepperoni Pizza Pull Apart Bread
- Cinnamon Nutella Pull Apart Bread
- Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket
Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree
Serves — 30
Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree bread bakes the best tasting appetizer or side dish to share for the holidays. Easy to make, these delicious stuffed bread balls are great for serving groups at parties or on game days.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tube Pillsbury Pizza dough
- 8 oz (1 package) mozzarella pearls
- 1 large egg beated
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 450 degrees and prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a clean, floured surface, unroll pizza dough and lay flat, stretching out the sides.
- Cut the dough using a pizza cutter 5 ways in from the tallest sides and 6 ways on the widest side, creating 30 squares.
- Working one dough square at a time, wrap 2-3 mozzarella pearls in each square, folding the edges in and rolling into a smooth ball.
- Place each ball (folden side down) on the parchment paper. You will want to mark out your Christmas tree shape beforehand with 7 balls on the bottom of your Christmas tree, removing one ball for every added top layer and two balls on the very bottom for your stand.
- Repeat this process until all 30 balls are wrapped and your Christmas tree is formed.
- Using a silicone brush, brush the top of your Christmas tree with the egg, coating evenly.
- Place inside the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the surface of your Christmas tree is golden.
- While your tree is baking, mix together the melted butter, parmesan, basil, parsley, rosemary and garlic. Mix well until fully combined.
- When the tree is done baking, brush the surface with the melted butter mixture, covering it entirely.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving with marinara sauce for dipping.
Jenn’s Notes
Storage:
- To Store: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Make sure to fold the edges of the dough together and place balls seam side down to help prevent the cheese from oozing out.
- Make sure to unroll the dough on a floured surface to avoid it sticking.
- For a cleaner Christmas tree look, carefully remove excess cheese and herbs from the sides 2-3 minutes after the tree comes out of the oven.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 128IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Delish appetizer! My family loved this recipe! Will def make again and again!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Just to let you know your pictured Christmas tree shows 32 rolls, when your recipe quotes 30. Looks delicious, though and will be making it for our Christmas Eve lunch. Thanks.
Served with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and green olives tucked in on top. Careful; they do roll.
Can I make this ahead of time?
I can’t wait to start using your recipes for the holidays
I hope you enjoy them!
Can these be made in advance & frozen? If so how long do I need to let them thaw before baking?
Love it
Are you leaving space between each ball to allow for rising/spreading. Or are they touching one another?
Check out picture number 3 in the post, it will show you the positioning I used, but I basically have them touch so they spread together when baking.