Description

Celebrate the holiday season with this festive Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread, a delicious pull-apart appetizer featuring soft pizza dough stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese, seasoned garlic butter, and sprinkled with Parmesan and fresh parsley. Perfect for gatherings, this fun-to-make bread baked to golden perfection pairs wonderfully with marinara sauce for dipping.

Ingredients

Dough and Cheese

1 pound refrigerated pizza dough
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning & Toppings

2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

To Serve

Marinara sauce for dipping

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Divide and Fill Dough: Divide the pizza dough into 30 equal small pieces. Flatten each piece slightly, then place a small pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of each. Fold the dough around the cheese and roll each into a smooth ball, sealing the cheese inside.
Arrange Dough Balls: Place the dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet, forming the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with one ball at the top and increase the number of balls per row as you go down to create a tree silhouette.
Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the dough balls are cooked through and golden brown on top.
Prepare Garlic Butter Mixture: While the bread bakes, mix melted unsalted butter with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese to create a flavorful garlic butter brush.
Brush and Garnish: Remove the baked bread from the oven and immediately brush the garlic butter mixture over the warm dough balls. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if using, for a festive touch.
Serve: Serve warm alongside marinara sauce for dipping, and enjoy the pull-apart cheesy goodness with friends and family.

Notes

You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough depending on your preference and convenience.
For an extra cheesy surprise, use a small cube of mozzarella cheese instead of shredded inside each dough ball.
Make sure to brush the garlic butter immediately after baking to allow the flavors to soak in while the bread is warm.
Fresh parsley is optional but adds a nice color contrast and fresh flavor.