Bring holiday magic to your table with this Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread — warm, buttery, garlicky pull-apart bread filled with gooey melted cheese. Made from refrigerated pizza dough, this festive tree-shaped appetizer is simple, delicious, and guaranteed to be the star of your Christmas spread!
Golden on the outside and cheesy in the middle, this easy bread is brushed with herbed garlic butter and sprinkled with Parmesan for irresistible holiday flavor. Serve it with marinara, pizza sauce, or pesto for dipping — and watch it disappear in minutes!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and fun: The Christmas tree shape makes it perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Quick and easy: Made with store-bought pizza dough and simple pantry ingredients.
- Cheesy and garlicky: Warm, melty mozzarella paired with herby butter and Parmesan — the perfect combo.
- Crowd-pleasing appetizer: Loved by both kids and adults alike!
🧀 Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1 (13-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough
- 6–7 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 30 (1-inch) pieces
- 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- Parchment paper (for lining baking sheet)
For the Garlic Butter Topping:
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- ½ tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, grated
For Serving:
- Marinara, pizza sauce, or pesto for dipping
🎅 How to Make Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- Prep the Baking Sheet:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. - Cut the Dough:
Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 30 equal squares using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. - Add the Cheese:
Place one piece of mozzarella in the center of each dough square. Roll each one into a ball, pinching the edges to seal. - Shape the Tree:
Arrange the dough balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. The balls should be lightly touching. - Brush and Bake:
Whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush lightly over each dough ball. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until golden brown. - Make the Garlic Butter:
While the bread bakes, melt the butter in the microwave (15–30 seconds). Stir in half of the Parmesan cheese, along with the garlic, parsley, rosemary, and basil. - Brush and Serve:
Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese. - Enjoy:
Serve warm with bowls of marinara, pizza sauce, or pesto for dipping.
🎁 Make-Ahead Instructions
You can easily prepare this bread in advance for a stress-free holiday gathering!
- Assemble the cheese-filled dough balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet (without egg wash).
- Freeze for 2 to 2½ hours until firm, then transfer the frozen balls to a zip-top freezer bag.
- When ready to bake, thaw at room temperature for 45 minutes.
- Assemble into a tree shape, brush with egg wash, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until golden.
🍽️ What to Serve With Christmas Tree Bread
This pull-apart bread makes a perfect appetizer, but it also pairs beautifully with hearty holiday dishes like:
- Baked Mostaccioli
- Braised Beef Ragu
- Garlic Butter Scallops
- Lasagna Soup
💡 Tips for the Best Pull-Apart Bread
- Make sure to seal each dough ball tightly to keep the cheese inside while baking.
- Use fresh herbs and real Parmesan for the most flavor.
- For extra color, sprinkle with a few bits of parsley or rosemary before serving.
🧡 Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is everything you love about the holidays — warm, comforting, shareable, and fun! It’s a simple yet impressive appetizer that adds a festive touch to any table and will have everyone reaching for “just one more piece.”