This is the ultimate festive, cheesy, and fun holiday appetizer that will be the star of any Christmas party! If you’re looking for the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table, this Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is it. It’s incredibly easy, endlessly customizable, and so much fun to eat.
Forget searching for different recipes—this is the only guide you’ll need for Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread. We’ll walk you through the classic cheesy version, a super-fast Pillsbury biscuits shortcut, a flaky puff pastry style, and even a sweet dessert version for Christmas morning. It’s a fun centerpiece for holiday class parties and family gatherings alike.
This savory appetizer is perfect for dipping! While we love it with a side of warmed marinara sauce, it’s also fantastic served alongside other crowd-pleasers like a hot Buffalo Chicken Dip.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- So Easy: It uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients, including store-bought dough for a quick prep time.
- Festive & Fun: It’s a fun-to-make recipe that’s perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen.
- Customizable: You can easily swap the fillings. Make it savory with mozzarella and herbs, or sweet with cinnamon sugar!
- The Perfect Centerpiece: It’s a show-stopping (yet simple) holiday party appetizer that everyone will be talking about.
Easy Cheesy Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
The ultimate holiday appetizer! This cheesy Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is made with simple pizza dough, stuffed with mozzarella, and brushed with a garlic herb butter. A festive, fun, and easy recipe that’s perfect for a party.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. store-bought pizza dough, room temperature
- 7 mozzarella sticks
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp water
For the Garlic Herb Butter:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp thinly sliced fresh basil
For Serving (Optional):
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Warmed marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut each mozzarella stick into 5 equal pieces (35 pieces total).
- Cut & Stuff Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the room-temperature pizza dough into a large rectangle. Cut the dough into 33-35 small squares (about 2-inches each).
- Form Balls: Wrap one square of dough around each piece of mozzarella. Roll it into a ball, pinching the seams tightly to seal the cheese inside.
- Assemble Tree: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down. Form a Christmas tree shape by starting with one ball at the top, then a row of two, then three, and so on. Use the final 2-3 balls for the trunk.
- Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tbsp of water. Brush this egg wash all over the dough balls for a golden, shiny finish.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is puffed, golden brown, and cooked through.
- Make Herb Butter: While the bread bakes, whisk together the melted butter, grated Parmesan, parsley, rosemary, and basil in a small bowl.
- Garnish & Serve: As soon as the tree comes out of the oven, brush it generously with the garlic herb butter. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes (if using) and serve immediately with warmed marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Room Temp Dough: Using room temperature pizza dough makes it much easier to stretch and shape without it snapping back.
- Seal the Seams: Pinch the seams of the dough balls very tightly to prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking. Placing them seam-side down also helps.
- Dough Variations: For a fluffier, faster bread, you can use 1-2 cans of Pillsbury biscuits, cut into quarters. For a flaky, elegant version, use two sheets of puff pastry (see article for the “twist” method).
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: serving (approx. 4-5 balls)
- Calories: 543 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 22g
Core Recipe: Easy Cheesy Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
This is the classic, cheesy appetizer that started it all! It’s the most popular version of Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread for a reason. It’s made with a simple pizza dough base, stuffed with gooey mozzarella, and brushed with a savory garlic butter. This is the version you see everywhere, and it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
For this festive Christmas tree pull apart bread, you will need:
- Cheese: 7 mozzarella sticks (also called string cheese).
- Dough: 1 lb. store-bought or homemade pizza dough. A refrigerated Pillsbury pizza dough works perfectly here, or you can use your favorite homemade pizza dough. Be sure to let it come to room temperature.
- Egg Wash: 1 large egg.
- Garlic Herb Butter:
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted.
- 1 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1/2 cup).
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley.
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary.
- 1 Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh basil.
- For Serving:
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional).
- More Parmesan and parsley for garnish.
- Warmed marinara for dipping. (Store-bought is fine, or try a simple homemade marinara sauce!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Arrange a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut each mozzarella stick into 5 equal pieces.
- Stuff the Dough Balls: On a lightly floured surface, divide your room-temperature dough in half. Roll each half into a long rectangle (about 18″ x 4″). Cut the dough into 2″ squares. You’ll need 33 squares total. Wrap one square of dough around each piece of mozzarella, rolling it into a ball and making sure to seal the seams tightly.
- Assemble the Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread: Arrange the 33 dough balls on your parchment-lined baking sheet, seam-side down. Form a Christmas tree shape, starting with one ball at the top, then a row of two, then three, and so on. Use the last few balls to create a small trunk at the base. Make sure the balls are touching so they bake together.
- Brush with Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush this egg wash all over the dough balls. This gives them that beautiful, shiny, golden-brown finish.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the tree for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the entire thing is puffed up and deep golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: While the bread is baking, whisk together the melted butter, Parmesan, parsley, rosemary, and basil in a small bowl. As soon as the tree comes out of the oven, brush this garlic butter mixture all over the hot bread. Garnish with a final sprinkle of Parmesan, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately with a bowl of warmed marinara for dipping.
Pro-Tips for Success
- Use Room Temp Dough: Letting your pizza dough come to room temperature is key. It makes it much easier to stretch and roll without it snapping back.
- Seal the Seams! This is the most important tip. You must pinch the seams of the dough balls very tightly to prevent the mozzarella from leaking out while baking. Place them seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Parchment Paper is a Must: Don’t skip the parchment paper! It ensures your tree doesn’t stick to the pan and makes cleanup a breeze.
Easy Dough Variations (The “Shortcut” Section)
While pizza dough is fantastic, you can make an incredible Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread using other bases! These shortcuts are perfect when you’re short on time but still want a show-stopping appetizer.
Variation 1: The “Quickest” Tree (Using Pillsbury Biscuits)
This is the fastest way to a delicious, pull-apart christmas tree. This version uses canned biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands!). The biscuits create a fluffy, soft, and rich bread.
Simply cut each biscuit in half or quarters, wrap your mozzarella cube, seal it, and assemble your tree just like in the main recipe. This method is especially popular and makes for a fantastic Pillsbury christmas tree pull apart bread.
Note: The baking time will likely be different. Check the biscuit package for guidance, but it’s often around 13-17 minutes at 375°F.
Variation 2: The “Flakiest” Tree (Using Puff Pastry)
For a completely different, elegant take on Christmas tree pull apart bread, use puff pastry sheets. This version is less ‘bubbly’ and more like a flaky, twisted pastry.
- How-to: Lay out one puff pastry sheet. Spread it with a filling like pesto, sun-dried tomato paste, or a mix of parmesan and herbs.
- Assemble: Lay the second puff pastry sheet on top. Cut a large triangle tree shape, using the scraps for a trunk.
- Twist: Cut “branches” on each side of the triangle, leaving the center “trunk” intact. Twist each branch.
- Bake: Brush with an egg wash and bake until golden and puffed. This puff pastry pull-apart christmas tree is amazing and looks beautiful next to other festive appetizers or, if you love puff pastry, these cranberry brie bites.
Sweet Dessert Version (Christmas Morning Tree)
Who said Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread has to be savory? This festive pull apart bread also makes an incredible sweet dessert or a show-stopping Christmas morning breakfast!
To make a sweet christmas tree pull apart bread, you use the exact same method of stuffing dough balls (pizza dough or biscuits work best here) but with a sweet filling.
Sweet Filling Ideas:
- Cinnamon Sugar: This is the easiest! Roll your dough balls in melted butter and then in a generous bowl of cinnamon sugar before assembling the tree. This creates a gooey, churro-like effect.
- Chocolate-Hazelnut: Stuff each dough ball with a small spoonful of Nutella or chocolate-hazelnut spread.
- Jam-Filled: Fill each ball with a dollop of thick raspberry or strawberry jam.
- Cream Cheese: Fill with a small cube of sweetened cream cheese.
Topping Your Sweet Tree:
- Simple Glaze: Drizzle the warm, baked tree with a powdered sugar glaze (just mix powdered sugar with a tiny bit of milk or water).
- “Snow” Effect: Dust the finished tree generously with powdered sugar.
- Frosting: A cream cheese frosting would be delicious with the cinnamon sugar version.
This is one of our favorite more easy holiday desserts because it’s so simple and looks incredible.
Serving Suggestions & Dips
Your Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is the perfect holiday party appetizer, so let’s serve it right!
- Classic Dips: The number one choice for the cheesy version is warmed marinara sauce. A good pesto is also a fantastic, fresh-tasting option. For a creamier dip, try a simple ranch or garlic dip.
- Pairing for a Party: This pull-apart bread is the ultimate centerpiece for an appetizer board. Place it in the middle of a large platter and surround it with other festive bites, like olives, cured meats, and fresh veggies.
- Serve Alongside Other Dips: You don’t have to just serve dip for the bread. Serve the Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread alongside other crowd-pleasing warm dips, like a classic spinach and artichoke dip or a hearty “Buffalo Chicken Dip”.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make-Ahead: Yes! You can assemble the entire Christmas tree pull apart bread on the parchment-lined baking sheet up to 1 day ahead of time. Do not do the egg wash. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit on the counter for 20-30 minutes, brush with the egg wash, and bake as directed.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat this bread is in the oven or an air fryer. This re-crisps the crust and melts the cheese perfectly. A quick 5-7 minutes at 350°F is usually all it takes. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make the dough tough and chewy.
FAQs for Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
This is one of our easiest holiday appetizer recipes, but a few common questions pop up. Here are all the answers you need!
What’s the best dough for pull-apart bread?
That all depends on your preference! Pizza dough gives you a chewy, classic bread-like texture. Pillsbury biscuits are a great shortcut for a fluffy, soft, and rich pull-apart bread. And puff pastry creates an elegant, flaky, and crispy version that’s less “bready” and more like a pastry.
Why did my cheese leak out?
This is the most common issue! It almost always means the seams of your dough balls weren’t sealed tightly enough. When you wrap the dough around the mozzarella, you must pinch all the edges together firmly to create a complete seal. Placing them seam-side down on the baking sheet also helps keep everything tucked in.
Can I make this from scratch?
Absolutely! While this guide focuses on store-bought dough for speed, you can use any homemade pizza dough recipe you love. You can also make a simple 2-ingredient, no-rise dough using Greek yogurt and self-rising flour.
What can I use besides mozzarella?
Any good melting cheese will work. The mozzarella sticks are just convenient! Feel free to cut up cubes of a cheddar block, pepper jack cheese sticks for a little kick, or even provolone.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to it! As you can see, this christmas tree bread recipe is one of the most versatile and festive holiday recipes you can make. It’s simple enough for a quick appetizer but impressive enough to be the centerpiece of your party.
Which version will you try first—the classic cheesy pizza dough tree, the flaky puff pastry version, or the sweet cinnamon sugar dessert tree?
Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! Enjoy your pull apart christmas tree bread!