Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic-Butter Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the bread.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough on a clean surface and cut it into small square pieces, about 2 inches each.
- 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.
- Dip Dough: Dip each square of dough into the garlic butter mixture, making sure each piece is well coated with the flavorful mixture.
- 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.
- Season: Lightly season the assembled bread tree with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- 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.
- 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
