Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic-Butter Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate the holidays with this fun and festive Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic-Butter Christmas Tree Bread. It’s an easy appetizer that’s perfect for sharing, featuring layers of buttery garlic dough and melted cheese shaped like a holiday tree.

Ingredients

• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
• Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or oregano), chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Marinara sauce or pesto for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into small squares.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped fresh herbs.
4. Step 4: Dip each dough square into the garlic butter mixture, then layer them on a lined baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle shredded cheese between the layers of dough.
6. Step 6: Season the entire assembly with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Step 7: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bread is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
8. Step 8: Serve warm, optionally with marinara sauce or pesto for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of cheeses like mozzarella and sharp cheddar for extra flavor.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a subtle kick.
• Try different fresh herbs depending on your preference—rosemary works well for an earthy note.
• If you want a vegetarian-friendly option, double-check that your cheese contains no animal rennet.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to restore the crispness and melt the cheese again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough layers ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator for a few hours before baking. Just allow it to come closer to room temperature before placing it in the oven to ensure even baking.

What if I don’t have refrigerated pizza dough?

You can use homemade pizza dough or pre-made bread dough as a substitute. Just roll it out and cut it into squares as described. The texture may vary slightly but will still be delicious.

Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic-Butter Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 68 reviews

This Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic-Butter Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of soft pizza dough squares are dipped in a fragrant garlic-butter mixture, stacked in the shape of a Christmas tree, and generously sprinkled with melted cheese and fresh herbs. Baked until golden and bubbly, it pairs beautifully with marinara or pesto sauces for a delicious crowd-pleaser.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough

Garlic Butter Mixture

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or oregano), chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese

• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)

Optional Serving

• Marinara sauce or pesto for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the bread.
2. Prepare Dough: Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough on a clean surface and cut it into small square pieces, about 2 inches each.
3. Mix Garlic Butter: In a bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter with minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs of your choice (parsley, basil, or oregano). Season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
4. Dip Dough: Dip each square of dough into the garlic butter mixture, making sure each piece is well coated with the flavorful mixture.
5. Assemble Tree: Begin layering the butter-coated dough squares on a lined baking sheet, arranging them in the shape of a Christmas tree. Alternate layers with sprinkled shredded cheese to create pockets of melty cheese throughout.
6. Season: Lightly season the assembled bread tree with additional salt and pepper if desired.
7. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and serve warm, accompanied by marinara sauce or pesto for dipping if desired.

Notes

• You can use either mozzarella or cheddar cheese, or a combination of both, depending on your preference.
• Fresh herbs add brightness and aroma; feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs.
• The bread is best served warm to enjoy the gooey cheese and soft texture.
• If you don’t have refrigerated pizza dough, homemade dough can be used as a substitute.
• For an extra crispy texture, brush a little garlic butter on top before baking.

Keywords: garlic bread, cheesy bread, pull apart bread, Christmas tree bread, holiday appetizer, pizza dough, festive bread