Go Back
Cheesy garlic Christmas tree pull-apart bread brushed with herb butter, with a bowl of warm marinara for dipping

Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

Mozzarella-stuffed pizza dough balls shaped into a Christmas tree, brushed with garlic herb butter and Parmesan and served with warm marinara.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 47 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 315
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bread
  • 2 pounds pizza dough refrigerated or thawed frozen (900 g)
  • 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cut into 32 small cubes (225 g)
Garlic butter
  • 6 tablespoons butter melted (85 g)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan finely grated (30 g)
To serve
  • 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce warmed
  • 6 cherry tomatoes halved, for ornaments
  • 1 slice cheddar or provolone cut into a star

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Stir the melted butter with the garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning and salt.
  3. Divide the dough into 32 pieces. Flatten each, wrap it around a mozzarella cube, pinch to seal and roll into a ball.
  4. Arrange 28 balls seam side down in rows of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to form a tree, with balls just touching. Use the last 4 balls for the trunk.
  5. Brush with half the garlic butter and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until deep golden and the center rolls are cooked through.
  6. Brush with the remaining garlic butter, sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley, decorate with tomato halves and the cheese star, and serve warm with marinara.

Notes

Make ahead: Shape, cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Leftovers: Refrigerate up to 3 days and reheat at 350°F for 6 to 8 minutes.
Nutrition is an estimate per serving, including about 2 tablespoons of marinara.