Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread: The Ultimate Holiday Showstopper

If you’ve ever hosted a holiday gathering, you know that the appetizers set the tone for the entire meal. There’s something magical about placing a warm, golden creation in the center of the table and watching everyone’s eyes light up. That’s exactly what happens when you bring out cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree bread — it’s festive, gooey, and guaranteed to disappear faster than wrapping paper on Christmas morning.

This recipe captures everything you love about comfort food — buttery bread, melted cheese, and savory garlic aroma — all shaped like a Christmas tree. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want a cosy holiday night-in snack, this cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree bread will become a tradition you’ll look forward to every December.

What Is Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread?

Think of it as a cross between garlic knots and stuffed cheesy bread, but far more festive. You’ll take small pieces of dough, tuck a bit of melty cheese inside each one, and arrange them into a tree shape before baking. Once golden and puffed, you’ll brush them with garlic-herb butter until they glisten like ornaments under twinkle lights.

The beauty of this appetizer is its simplicity — it looks impressive, yet it’s surprisingly easy to make. Whether you use homemade dough or refrigerated pizza dough from the grocery store, the result is the same: soft, cheesy, tear-apart perfection that keeps everyone reaching for just one more bite.

Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread

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• Author: Rasha Annan
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree bread is a festive, golden, and gooey appetizer made with soft dough balls stuffed with mozzarella, brushed with garlic butter, and baked to perfection for your holiday table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough
• 8 mozzarella sticks, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or basil
• Marinara, pesto, or ranch for dipping

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Roll pizza dough into a 12×8-inch rectangle and cut into about 30 small squares.

3. Place one cube of mozzarella in the center of each square, seal edges, and roll into a ball.

4. Arrange the dough balls seam-side down on the sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree.

5. Mix melted butter, garlic, and Italian seasoning; brush half over the dough.

6. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.

7. Brush with remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.

8. Serve warm with dipping sauces.

Notes

For make-ahead: assemble the tree, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

To reheat leftovers, warm in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes for best texture.

For variety, add mini pepperoni, sun-dried tomatoes, or colored peppers as festive toppings.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 piece
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 1
• Sodium: 380
• Fat: 11
• Saturated Fat: 6
• Unsaturated Fat: 3
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 21
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 8
• Cholesterol: 25

Ingredients & Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to bring this Christmas tree bread to life:

For the Bread:

• 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade dough if preferred)
• 8 mozzarella sticks, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or basil for garnish

For Serving:

• Warm marinara sauce, pesto, or ranch for dipping

Kitchen Tools:

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Pastry brush
• Knife or pizza cutter
• Small bowl for melted butter mixture

These simple ingredients come together to make a bread that’s both soft on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside. The buttery garlic glaze and sprinkle of herbs elevate it into something restaurant-worthy, right from your oven.

Step-by-Step Preparation & Baking Instructions

Preparing the Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you’re using store-bought pizza dough, let it rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes — it’ll be easier to work with.

Roll out the dough into a rectangle, about 12 by 8 inches, and use a pizza cutter to divide it into roughly 30 small squares. Each square should be big enough to wrap around a cube of mozzarella.

Shaping the Tree

Place one piece of cheese in the center of each dough square, pinch the edges to seal, and roll it into a smooth ball. Arrange the dough balls seam-side down on your baking sheet, forming a tree shape — start with one ball at the top and work down into rows (for example, 6-5-4-3-2-1), finishing with a “trunk” at the bottom.

Baking and Finishing Touches

In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Brush half of this mixture over the dough balls before baking. Place the sheet in the oven for 18–22 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and slightly puffed.

Once baked, brush the remaining butter mixture over the hot bread and sprinkle Parmesan and chopped parsley on top. The smell alone will draw everyone to the kitchen before you can even plate it.

Serving Ideas

Carefully transfer the bread to a large platter or wooden board. Serve immediately with marinara sauce or your favorite dip on the side. You’ll love how the cheese stretches as guests pull apart each piece — it’s both delicious and a little bit of edible entertainment.

Dietary Variations: Vegan, Gluten-Free & More

Every holiday table deserves an inclusive dish, and this one adapts beautifully to different dietary needs.

Vegan Version:
Swap the butter for plant-based butter and use dairy-free mozzarella shreds or cubes. Choose a vegan pizza dough (most refrigerated doughs are naturally dairy-free). You’ll still get that satisfying pull-apart texture and golden crust.

Gluten-Free Version:
Opt for gluten-free pizza dough, available in most grocery stores. You may need to adjust baking time slightly since gluten-free doughs brown faster. Use gluten-free flour to dust your surface while shaping.

Low-Calorie or Light Version:
Use part-skim mozzarella, brush lightly with olive oil instead of butter, and skip the Parmesan. The bread will stay flavorful without feeling too indulgent.

Halal Option:
Ensure your cheese is made with microbial or vegetarian rennet and your butter is certified halal. The rest of the ingredients are naturally compliant.

These adjustments make the recipe flexible enough for any crowd while maintaining its comforting flavor and festive look.

Storage, Make-Ahead & Reheating Tips

If you’re juggling multiple dishes for a party, this bread can be prepped ahead. Assemble the dough balls and arrange them in a tree shape, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, brush with butter and pop it in the oven — no extra rising time needed.

Leftovers (if you have any) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place the bread on a baking sheet and warm it in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread soggy. This appetizer is best enjoyed warm and fresh, but it’s forgiving enough to taste great the next day.

Serving Suggestions & Holiday Presentation

This festive bread deserves to be the star of your holiday table. Place it on a large wooden board, add small bowls of dipping sauces like marinara, pesto, and garlic butter around it, and sprinkle a few rosemary sprigs for a touch of greenery. For an extra festive twist, press a few cherry tomatoes or pomegranate seeds into the bread after baking to mimic ornaments — it looks stunning and adds a pop of color.

You can even make smaller versions shaped like wreaths or stars if you’re serving individual portions. No matter how you present it, this appetizer always earns compliments — and usually, requests for the recipe.

When it comes down to it, cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree bread isn’t just about the taste. It’s about gathering people together, laughing, and sharing something made with love. So next time you’re planning a holiday party, skip the store-bought appetizers and bake this showstopper instead — it’s warm, festive, and downright irresistible.

FAQ

How long does this cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree bread stay fresh?

You can store the bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days, though it’s best enjoyed the same day for maximum gooey cheese pull and crisp crust. When you’re ready to serve leftovers, reheat in a 300–325°F oven until warmed through to retain the soft interior and crisp exterior.

Can I assemble the tree ahead of time and bake it later?

Yes — you can prepare the dough balls, arrange them in the tree shape, cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Just remember to add the garlic-butter glaze right before or just after baking so the bread retains its “fresh-out-of-the-oven” appeal.

What is the best cheese to use for the “pull-apart” effect?

Go with a string mozzarella stick or cubes of low-moisture mozzarella for the ideal cheese-pull. If you like, you can mix in Monterey Jack or a blend of both for more stretch and flavor — this helps the melty center become the star of your holiday appetizer.

Can I freeze the unbaked or baked bread?

Freezing the baked bread is not highly recommended, since the texture may degrade (become soggy or uneven). For unbaked dough balls, you can freeze them: arrange on a tray, freeze solid, then bag. Thaw, arrange into the tree, then bake. Just note that baking time may require an extra 5–7 minutes if you start from semi-frozen.

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