Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread is warm, cheesy, garlicky, and shaped just like a holiday tree, making it the star of any Christmas gathering. Soft dough filled with melty mozzarella cheese, brushed with garlic butter, and baked golden brown this pull apart bread is simple, festive, and absolutely irresistible.
The first time I served this Christmas tree bread at a holiday potluck, everyone gathered around immediately. Hands reaching in, cheese stretching with every pull, and lots of happy “oh my gosh this is so good” moments. It brings cozy pizza-night vibes with a festive twist, and it always disappears faster than you expect.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, buttery, pull apart bread with gooey cheese
- Looks impressive but is incredibly easy to make
- Uses store-bought pizza or biscuit dough for convenience
- Family-friendly and perfect for parties
- Pairs amazingly with marinara or pesto dipping sauce
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound (450 g) pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- 16–20 mozzarella cheese cubes (about 3/4 inch pieces)
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or rosemary, chopped (for garnish)
Dipping Options
- Warm marinara sauce
- Basil pesto
- Garlic butter
- Vodka sauce
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cut and Fill Dough
Cut pizza dough into 16–20 even pieces. Wrap each dough piece around a cheese cube, pinching well to seal.
Step 3: Shape the Tree
Place the stuffed dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree (wide base to narrow top, plus one for the “trunk”).
Step 4: Brush and Bake
Whisk melted butter with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Brush half over the dough balls.
Bake 18–22 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Brush with remaining garlic butter and sprinkle Parmesan and parsley.
Serve warm with dipping sauces on the side.
Chef’s Tips
- Pinch dough tightly to prevent cheese from leaking
- Use low-moisture mozzarella for best gooey results
- Add a sprinkle of chili flakes for heat
- For extra shine and browning, brush dough with egg wash before baking
- Serve immediately for maximum cheese pull
Variations
- Pepperoni Inside: Add a tiny pepperoni slice inside each dough ball
- Garlic Cream Cheese: Swap mozzarella for seasoned cream cheese filling
- Pesto Brush: Brush finished tree with pesto instead of garlic butter
- Sweet Version: Fill with Nutella and sprinkle powdered sugar
Serving Suggestions
Serve your pull apart Christmas tree bread with:
- Marinara or pizza sauce
- Pesto dipping sauce
- A festive cheese board
- Holiday cocktails, sparkling cider, or mulled wine
Perfect for:
- Christmas Eve or Christmas Day appetizers
- Holiday movie nights
- Potlucks and family celebrations
- Kids’ holiday parties
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling with cheese — can burst out
- Not sealing edges well
- Baking at too low temp — dough won’t brown
- Serving cold — cheese loses stretch
- Skipping parchment — helps prevent sticking
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Form dough balls ahead and refrigerate up to 1 day
- Bake right before serving
- Store leftovers in fridge up to 2 days
- Reheat at 325°F (165°C) for 6–8 minutes to re-melt cheese
- Do not microwave (dough becomes chewy)
Nutrition (approx. per piece)
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 3 g
- Fat: 5 g
- Carbs: 12 g
Festive, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasant
Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread brings cozy comfort and holiday magic to any table. It is cheesy, warm, and perfect for sharing — the kind of appetizer that gets everyone gathered around and smiling.
Bake it once, and it might become your new Christmas tradition.
Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- knife or dough cutter to divide dough
- Pastry brush for garlic butter
- Mixing bowl for butter mixture
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- 16–20 mozzarella cheese cubes (about 3/4 inch)
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley or rosemary, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut pizza dough into 16–20 even pieces. Wrap each piece around a cheese cube and pinch to seal.
- Arrange dough balls seam-side down on the sheet in a Christmas tree shape, including a trunk piece.
- Mix butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Brush half over dough balls.
- Bake 18–22 minutes until golden and puffed. Remove from oven.
- Brush with remaining garlic butter and sprinkle Parmesan and herbs. Serve warm with dipping sauces.
