There’s festive food, and then there’s this showstopper: a golden, pull-apart Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread that’s as delicious as it is fun to eat. Imagine buttery, garlicky rolls filled with gooey mozzarella, arranged like a Christmas tree and baked to perfection. It’s warm, inviting, and bound to steal the spotlight at your holiday table.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering or a larger holiday bash, this bread brings joy to every bite. It’s easy to make, with store-bought dough, but tastes like it came straight from a bakery. Serve it with marinara for dipping and you’ve got a cheesy, melty centerpiece no one can resist.
What Kind of Dough Should I Use?
Refrigerated pizza dough is the easiest and quickest option for this bread, but crescent roll sheets or homemade dough work great too. The key is flexibility and stretch so you can easily wrap the cheese into each bite-sized piece.
Ingredients for the Irresistible Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
- 24 mozzarella cheese cubes (about 1-inch each)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Warm marinara sauce for dipping
How To Make the Irresistible Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
Step 1: Prepare the Dough and Cheese
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll the pizza dough and cut it into 24 equal pieces. Flatten each piece slightly and place a cube of mozzarella in the center. Wrap the dough around the cheese, pinching the edges to seal, and roll into a ball.
Step 2: Assemble the Tree Shape
Place the dough balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape (triangle layout, with a trunk at the bottom). Start with one ball at the top and increase by one in each row (1-2-3-4-5-6), then place two at the base for the trunk.
Step 3: Add Butter and Seasoning
Mix melted butter, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Brush the mixture generously over the dough balls.
Step 4: Bake and Garnish
Bake for 18–22 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve warm with marinara sauce.
How to Serve and Store Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
This bread is best served warm and fresh out of the oven when the cheese is perfectly gooey. Place it on a serving platter with a bowl of marinara sauce in the center or off to the side for dipping.
If you have leftovers, wrap them tightly and refrigerate. Reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warm. Microwaving works in a pinch but may soften the texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different cheese?
Absolutely! Try cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for a kick.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the dough balls and assemble the tree a few hours ahead. Keep it refrigerated and bake just before serving.
What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?
No problem—use a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme, or your favorite herb blend.
Can I freeze this?
It’s best fresh, but you can freeze leftovers. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.
How do I prevent cheese from leaking out?
Make sure to seal each dough ball tightly and place the seam side down while baking.
What other dips can I serve with this?
Ranch, garlic butter, or pesto make fantastic alternatives to marinara.
Want More Holiday Appetizer Ideas?
If you love this festive bread, here are more holiday-ready dishes you can try next:
- Irresistible Pecan Pie Bites for a sweet, nutty indulgence.
- Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies that melt in your mouth.
- Nutella French Toast Casserole for a decadent holiday breakfast.
- Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake if you’re planning a dessert spread.
- Cinnamon Donut Bread with cozy holiday spice.
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest holiday board so you can whip it up anytime the season calls for something cheesy and festive.
And don’t forget to leave a comment below with your twist! Did you use herbed butter? Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes? I love seeing how everyone makes these recipes their own.
Follow me on Pinterest at Nina Dishes for daily festive food inspiration!
Irresistible Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Irresistible Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive pull-apart appetizer loaded with melty mozzarella, buttery garlic flavor, and a golden crust. Simple to prepare with pizza dough, it’s the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table.
Ingredients
1 can refrigerated pizza dough
24 mozzarella cheese cubes (about 1-inch each)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Warm marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut pizza dough into 24 equal pieces. Flatten each slightly and place a cube of mozzarella in the center. Seal tightly and roll into a ball.
3. Arrange balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape (rows of 1-2-3-4-5-6, then 2 for the trunk).
4. Mix melted butter, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Brush mixture over the dough balls.
5. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.
7. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
Use refrigerated crescent sheet dough as an alternative for extra fluffiness.
Make sure cheese cubes are sealed well to avoid leaks during baking.
Add crushed red pepper to the butter mix for a spicy version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: holiday appetizer, cheesy bread, Christmas recipe
