This pull-apart cheesy Christmas tree bread is a festive, hands-on appetizer everyone will love. Soft, golden dough hides gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan in each pull-apart piece. It smells of warm butter and garlic while baking, and the cheesy threads stretch delightfully when you pull a piece. Try it for holiday parties, family gatherings, or a fun weeknight treat — it’s simple and impressive. For other holiday bite-sized sweets to pair with this, see these elegant spiced gingerbread truffles: elegant spiced gingerbread truffles.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving:
- Calories per serving: 480 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 85 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Why Make This Pull-Apart Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
This bread is festive and fun to eat. It’s quick to make with store-bought pizza dough, so you get homemade flavor without long prep. The outer crust turns golden and slightly crisp while the inside stays soft and cheesy. The aroma of butter and garlic fills the kitchen as it bakes. It’s great as a shareable appetizer, a kid-friendly snack, or part of a holiday spread.
How to Make Pull-Apart Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
Follow a few simple steps: shape the dough into layered triangles to form a tree, fill with mozzarella and Parmesan, brush with garlic butter, and bake until golden. The design is forgiving — you can adjust sizes to feed more or fewer people. Keep a small bowl of warm marinara for dipping to add a bright tomato contrast to the rich cheese.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans of refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Take the refrigerated pizza dough out of the cans and let it sit a few minutes if it’s very cold so it’s easier to roll.
Step 2: Mixing
Roll out each can of pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a thin rectangle. Cut the dough into triangles — sizes that will stack into a tree shape. Combine the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan in a bowl and mix gently so the cheeses are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Cooking
Arrange your first triangle on the baking tray as the tree base, then layer cheese and additional triangles in a tree pattern, placing triangles around and slightly overlapping the center stack so guests can pull pieces away. Brush the assembled dough generously with melted butter, then sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning evenly over the surface. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15–20 minutes, or until the dough is puffed and golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 4: Finishing
Remove the tree from the oven and let it cool 3–5 minutes so the cheese sets slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color. Transfer to a serving platter and place a bowl of warm marinara sauce alongside for dipping. Serve warm and encourage guests to pull apart pieces.
How to Serve Pull-Apart Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
Serve it right from the tray or move to a large platter. Offer warm marinara for dipping and small plates or napkins for easy grabbing. Pair it with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a fuller meal. For parties, set it on a wooden board with holiday decor around it to make it the table centerpiece.
How to Store Pull-Apart Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- Short term: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes to crisp the crust and re-melt the cheese.
- Freezing: You can freeze unbaked assembled dough (wrap tightly in plastic and foil) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed. Do not freeze after baking or the texture will degrade.
- Reheating tip: To revive texture, use an oven or toaster oven rather than microwave. A quick 5–8 minute reheat at 350°F crisps the exterior and warms the center.
Expert Tips for Perfect Pull-Apart Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- Let dough relax: If the dough springs back when rolled, let it rest 5–10 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Don’t overfill: Too much cheese can leak and burn on the tray. Tuck cheese slightly into layers.
- Even triangles: Try to cut triangles of similar size so the tree bakes evenly.
- Brush well: Melted butter with a pinch of salt gives a golden color and great flavor; brush edges for extra crispness.
- Use cold tray caution: Place the assembled tree on a warm or room-temperature tray; cold metal can affect baking time.
- Swap cheeses: Use provolone for a mild melt or sharp cheddar for more bite.
- Add herbs: Fresh chopped rosemary or basil added after baking brightens the flavor.
Delicious Variations
- Garlic-Herb Pull-Apart: Mix minced fresh garlic with the melted butter and brush for stronger garlic flavor.
- Pepperoni Christmas Tree: Tuck small pepperoni slices between layers for a meaty bite.
- Three-Cheese Tree: Replace Parmesan with fontina or sharp cheddar for different melt and flavor profiles.
- Pesto Twist: Spread a thin layer of pesto on each triangle before adding cheese for a basil-forward version.
- Sweet Option: Make a dessert pull-apart by swapping cheese for cinnamon sugar butter and serving with a sweet dipping sauce (this requires different dough handling).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble the tree and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours before baking. If you need longer storage, freeze the unbaked assembled tree for up to 1 month, then thaw overnight in the fridge and bake.
Q: What if my dough tears when I roll it out?
A: Small tears are okay — patch them by pressing the dough together with your fingers. If the dough is too elastic and snaps back, let it rest 5–10 minutes to relax.
Q: Can I use homemade dough instead of refrigerated dough?
A: Absolutely. Homemade pizza or bread dough works well. Make sure it’s chilled enough to handle and roll into triangles. Baking time may vary slightly depending on dough thickness.
Q: My cheese leaked and burned on the tray. How can I prevent that?
A: Use a rimmed baking sheet and place a sheet of parchment under the tree to catch drips. Don’t overfill with cheese and tuck it slightly into the layers rather than piling it on top.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers without making the bread soggy?
A: Reheat in a 350°F oven or toaster oven for 5–10 minutes to crisp the crust and re-melt the cheese. Avoid microwaving, which can make the dough soft and chewy.
Q: Can I make smaller individual trees or pull-apart rolls instead?
A: Yes. Divide dough into smaller sections and shape mini trees or pull-apart rolls. Adjust baking time down to 10–15 minutes depending on size.
Conclusion
This Pull-Apart Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is an easy, show-stopping appetizer that combines buttery, garlicky crust with gooey, melty cheese. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights when you want a warm, shareable treat. For a similar festive, cheesy recipe and extra inspiration, check out this Pull-Apart Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe – Healthy …: Pull-Apart Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe – Healthy …
Enjoy baking — and don’t be afraid to get a little cheesy with the decorations!
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Pull-Apart Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive pull-apart bread is filled with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan, making it an impressive and fun appetizer for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cans of refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Roll out each can of pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into thin rectangles and cut into triangles.
- Combine the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan in a bowl.
- Arrange the first triangle on the baking tray as the base, then layer cheese and additional triangles in a tree pattern, brushing with melted butter and sprinkling garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes or until the dough is puffed and golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Let cool for 3–5 minutes, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve with warm marinara for dipping.
Notes
For best results, let the dough relax if it springs back when rolled. You can swap cheeses or add herbs for variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 85g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
