This Christmas tree pull-apart bread is way simpler to make than it looks, calling for just a few simple ingredients and less than an hour of your time.
I had the best intentions of creating a brand new holiday-themed pizza this year, but after stumbling upon the pull-apart bread recipes on Delish and Ready Set Eat, I ended up with the ultimate holiday appetizer / dinner roll alternative instead. If you don't celebrate Christmas, feel free to arrange the dough balls in any other (tightly packed) shape.
Happy holidays!
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
All you need to make this festive tree-shaped pull-apart bread is a ball of pizza dough and some mozzarella, egg, butter, garlic powder, salt, and fresh herbs. The marinara dipping sauce is optional but highly recommended.
Makes: 24 rolls
Calories: 121kcal
Cost: 18.00
Equipment
- large rimmed baking sheet
- parchment paper
- pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 (1-pound) ball pizza dough
- 1 (1-pound) block whole-milk low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 to 2 ounces Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup Super-Easy Marinara Sauce or store-bought marinara
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the pizza dough into two equal portions. On a lightly floured work surface, using your fingers, press out each piece of dough to a roughly 4 x 8-inch rectangle. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each rectangle into 12 equal-size squares or rectangles.
- Cut the mozzarella into 24 (1-inch) cubes. You will only need about three-quarters of the block of cheese. Save the rest for another use.
- Place one cheese cube in the center of each square of dough. Pull the edges of dough up and around the cheese, and press to seal, making 24 cheese-stuffed balls. Arrange the balls, seam-side down, in a Christmas tree shape on the prepared baking sheet, gently smooshing them together so they are all touching.
- In a ramekin, whisk together the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the assembled dough-ball tree with the egg wash. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden.
- While the tree bakes, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic powder, a pinch of salt, and parsley. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- Pulse the Parmesan cheese in a food processor until it is very finely ground.
- When the tree is done baking, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a serving platter. Brush it with the butter-herb mixture, then dust the top with the Parmesan cheese. Serve warm or at room temperature with marinara sauce for dipping.
Nutrition
Serving: 1roll | Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 1mg
*Recipe adapted from the tree-shaped pull-apart bread recipes on Delish.com and Ready Set Eat.
Denny Koonce says
Looks delicious!
Peggy Paul Casella says
Thanks!
Mallory says
Can I do the prep work the night before, refrigerate it and then bake the next day, or will that ruin the recipe?
Peggy Paul Casella says
I think that will work just fine. Just let the dough come to room temp before baking. Let me know how it turns out!