Introduction

Celebrate the holidays with this fun and delicious Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread. Soft dough balls stuffed with gooey mozzarella are baked together in the shape of a festive tree, then brushed with a flavorful herb butter. It’s perfect for sharing and dipping at any holiday gathering.

A triangular shaped bread made of small, round golden brown dough balls, lightly browned on the tops with melted cheese and green herb bits sprinkled over and between them, forming a Christmas tree shape with a short stem at the bottom; next to the bread is a white bowl filled with thick red marinara sauce and a silver spoon coated with the sauce resting beside it, all placed on a white marbled textured surface with a sprig of rosemary and some red and white striped cloth partially visible in the corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

13 ounces canned refrigerator pizza dough
Parchment paper for lining baking sheet
6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, grated
1 jar marinara and/or pesto for dipping

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cut the dough into about 30 equal squares. Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks into 30 bite-sized pieces, roughly 1 inch each.
Step 3: Place one piece of mozzarella on each dough square. Then, form each square into a ball by rolling with your hands and sealing the edges smoothly.
Step 4: Arrange the balls seam side down on the prepared baking sheet to form a Christmas tree shape, ensuring the balls touch each other.
Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash. Lightly brush each dough ball with the egg wash.
Step 6: Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 7: While baking, microwave the butter until melted. Stir in half of the Parmesan cheese, grated garlic, and all the chopped herbs.
Step 8: Once baked, brush the herb butter mixture onto the warm rolls. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Step 9: Serve immediately with marinara sauce and/or pesto for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For a different cheese filling, try small cubes of cheddar or provolone instead of mozzarella.
Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes into the herb butter for a subtle kick.
If fresh herbs aren’t available, use 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning as a substitute.
Shape the dough balls into a wreath or other festive shapes for variety.

Storage

Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy on the outside. Avoid microwave reheating to keep the bread’s texture intact.

How to Serve

A Christmas tree shaped pull-apart bread made of golden brown dough balls, each topped with green herbs and melted white cheese, arranged in a triangular shape with a small stem at the bottom. The bread sits on a wooden board with scattered herbs around, and a woman's hand is dipping one ball into a white bowl filled with chunky red marinara sauce placed on the top right. A silver spoon with sauce and a sprig of rosemary lie next to the bread. A white and red striped cloth is partially visible on the top left. The background is changed to a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, homemade pizza dough works wonderfully. Just make sure it’s well chilled and easy to handle for shaping the balls.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh herbs?

Dry Italian seasoning is a good alternative. Use about 1 teaspoon in place of the fresh herbs for similar flavor.

Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 111 reviews

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with pizza dough stuffed with mozzarella, topped with a fragrant blend of garlic, herbs, and parmesan, and shaped into a charming Christmas tree, this recipe combines warm, cheesy bites with vibrant flavors and an impressive presentation. Serve it with marinara or pesto dipping sauces for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Yield: 30 appetizer servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dough and Cheese:

13 ounces canned refrigerator pizza dough
6–7 mozzarella cheese sticks (cut into 1-inch pieces)
Parchment paper for lining baking sheet

Egg Wash:

1 large egg
1 tablespoon water

Herb Butter Topping:

3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, grated

Dipping Sauces:

1 jar marinara sauce
1 jar pesto (optional)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Cut Dough and Cheese: Cut the pizza dough into approximately 30 equal squares. Then, cut the mozzarella sticks into 30 bite-size 1-inch pieces to match the dough squares.
Assemble Cheese Balls: Place one piece of mozzarella on each dough square. Roll the dough around the cheese, forming a ball by smoothing and sealing the edges tightly to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
Arrange Tree Shape: Place the assembled dough balls seam side down on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree, positioning the balls so they touch each other to form a cohesive tree shape.
Brush with Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water to create an egg wash. Lightly brush each dough ball with the egg wash to promote golden browning during baking.
Bake: Bake the dough balls in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Prepare Herb Butter: While the bread is baking, microwave the butter until melted. Stir in half of the grated parmesan cheese, the grated garlic, and all of the finely chopped herbs (parsley, rosemary, basil) to combine.
Brush Herb Butter: Once the bread is baked, immediately brush the warm herb butter mixture over the hot rolls to infuse flavor and moisture.
Finish with Parmesan: Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the rolls for a savory finish.
Serve: Serve the cheesy Christmas tree bread warm with marinara and/or pesto sauces on the side for dipping to add festive flavor and variety.

Notes

Ensure the dough balls are sealed tightly around the cheese to prevent leakage during baking.
Fresh herbs can be substituted with 1 teaspoon dried herbs if unavailable, adjusting to taste.
Serve immediately for best flavor and texture; the rolls are best enjoyed warm.
For a vegetarian option, verify that the parmesan cheese is vegetarian-friendly or use a suitable substitute.
Leftovers can be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to regain freshness.

Keywords: Christmas bread, cheesy bread, appetizer, holiday recipe, mozzarella bread, festive appetizer, herb butter bread