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Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is made by wrapping mozzarella cubes in pizza dough and arranging the balls into a festive tree shape. Baked until golden and brushed with garlic-Parmesan butter, it’s soft, cheesy, and easy to pull apart.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 245
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the bread
  • 1 lb pizza dough refrigerated
  • 4 oz mozzarella low-moisture, cut into 23 small cubes
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 tbsp water
For the garlic butter
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp parsley chopped fresh
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan finely grated

Equipment

  • 1 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet

Method
 

Shape the bread
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Line an 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Divide the dough into 23 equal pieces.
  4. Flatten each piece into a small disk and place a mozzarella cube in the center.
  5. Pinch the dough tightly closed around each mozzarella cube.
  6. Arrange the dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in a tree shape: make rows of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 balls, then place the remaining 2 balls centered beneath the widest row for the trunk, with the balls just touching.
  7. Whisk the egg with the water.
  8. Brush the egg mixture over the dough balls.
Bake and finish
  1. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
  2. While the bread bakes, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the parsley and Parmesan.
  5. Brush the hot bread with the garlic butter.
  6. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pinch the dough seams tightly closed to help keep the mozzarella inside. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze baked bread for longer storage. Gluten-free pizza dough can be used as a dietary swap.