Description
Celebrate the holidays with this festive Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread featuring soft, cheesy dough balls arranged in a Christmas tree shape. Filled with gooey mozzarella and seasoned with Italian herbs, this appetizer is perfect for sharing and dipping in marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Dough and Filling
- 1 pound prepared pizza dough
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
Seasoning and Toppings
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
For Serving
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Allow the prepared pizza dough to come to room temperature for 15 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Cut Cheese and Dough: Cut each mozzarella cheese stick into 4 bite-size pieces, totaling 32 cubes. Roll out and cut the pizza dough into 32 equal squares to match the number of cheese pieces.
- Assemble Dough Balls: Place one mozzarella cube on top of each dough square. Sprinkle each with Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Fold the edges of the dough squares towards the center, pinching to seal the cheese inside. Roll each sealed pocket gently into a ball with your hands.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the dough balls seam-side down on the prepared sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree, creating a small trunk at the bottom. You will have 3 extra balls; bake these separately on the side.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk together the egg and water in a small bowl. Brush each dough ball generously with the egg wash to encourage browning and shine during baking.
- Bake: Bake the bread balls in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes or until they turn golden brown and the cheese inside melts.
- Add Finishing Touches: Once baked, brush the warm bread balls with melted butter. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese on top for flavor and presentation.
- Serve: Serve the pull apart bread immediately while warm with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for a festive and delicious appetizer.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella sticks with mozzarella pearls or chunks if preferred.
- Allow dough to come to room temperature properly for easy shaping and better rising.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
- Make sure to pinch the dough edges tightly to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the gooey cheese and fresh bread texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat to maintain softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
