
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.

Table of Contents
- Cheesy Christmas Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
- Why We Love This Pullapart Stuffed Cheese Christmas Tree Recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Additions
- Recommended Tools
- How to Make Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree
- Tip From Our Recipe Developer
- Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Other Easy Pull-Apart Bread Recipes
- Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree Recipe
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
How 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
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
- 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.
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.