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This Christmas tree pull apart bread is made of cheese-stuffed dough balls brushed with garlic herb oil and baked until golden. It’s a festive appetizer that brings magic to any holiday gathering!
After hosting holiday gatherings for years, I know one thing: an over-the-top recipe sets the tone. And isn’t this Christmas tree pull apart bread is the epitome of festive? Alex and I just served this for a holiday gathering and everyone was smitten.
It looks stunning and in my opinion, it tastes even better than it looks! The garlicky, Parmesan and herb rolls are loaded with a cheese pull of stretchy mozzarella. You can serve them with marinara sauce for a seriously fun Christmas appetizer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Many Christmas tree pull apart bread recipes use store-bought dough. But I’ve created this recipe (with the help of my bread expert husband, Alex) to use an easy homemade dough based on this popular pizza dough recipe for next-level flavor.
Of course, you can also substitute store-bought pizza dough (use 1 pound). Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour: Creates the soft, pillowy texture
- Instant or active dry yeast: Gives the dough rise and airy texture
- Olive oil: I’ve created this recipe to use only extra-virgin olive oil (not butter)
- String cheese mozzarella sticks: I’ve tested this recipe with mozzarella balls, but I found string cheese sticks are essential. They’re seasoned and melt into those satisfying cheese pulls
- Garlic cloves and Italian seasoning: To add aromatic, savory flavor
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Creates a golden crust on top
- Fresh rosemary: Adds an earthy herby flavor
How to Make Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread: Step by Step
Here are the basic steps to make Christmas tree bread (or jump to the recipe below):
Step 1: Make the dough and let it rise.
Mix the ingredients, then knead in a stand mixer for 8 minutes until the dough feels pillowy and smooth. Shape the dough into a ball and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 2: Shape the Christmas tree.
Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Here’s where it gets interesting: divide the dough into 32 equal pieces using a kitchen scale and calculator for best results.
Weigh the dough in grams, then divide it by 32 and make small balls of this weight. Ours are typically around 26 grams each.
Take one piece of dough, flatten it slightly, place a piece of string cheese in the center, then gather the edges up and around the cheese, pinching to seal.
Roll between your palms to create a smooth ball with seams on the bottom.
Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape: start with one ball at the top, then create rows that gradually widen as you work down. The balls should be touching. Cover with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Add the garlic herb coating and bake.
Warm olive oil with garlic and Italian seasoning, then brush the garlic herb oil over all the dough balls, coating tops and sides. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and bake for 14 to 17 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately top with fresh chopped rosemary.
Serving Ideas for Holiday Gatherings
This bread is absolutely perfect for any holiday occasion. Here are a few ideas for serving:
- Serve with shallow bowls of marinara sauce or my homemade pizza sauce
- Pair with other Christmas appetizers like cheese boards and veggie trays
- Serve with other party food for larger gatherings
- Add to your Christmas breakfast buffet with scrambled eggs and fruit
- Serve with drinks like Christmas cocktails or holiday drinks like mulled wine or Christmas martinis at a cocktail hour
- Use as a replacement for traditional dinner rolls at Christmas dinner
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated up to 4 days. Reheat on a baking sheet at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
To make ahead, arrange the dough balls in the tree formation, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, allow to sit at room temperature 20 to 30 minutes, brush with the garlic oil and bake.
Dietary Notes
This Christmas tree pull apart bread is vegetarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have not tried this recipe with other types of cheese; I recommend using string cheese for the best cheese pull and flavor.
Yes! Try adding cooked crumbled bacon, sundried tomatoes, or chopped olives along with the cheese for extra flavor. Just make sure any additions are well-drained and not too wet, which could make the dough soggy.
The rolls should be golden brown on top and sound slightly hollow when tapped.
Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
This Christmas tree pull apart bread is made of cheese-stuffed dough balls brushed with garlic herb oil and baked until golden. It’s a festive appetizer that brings magic to any holiday gathering!
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Rest Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 large bread 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Bread
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 490 grams all purpose flour (3 ½ cups)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
- 315 grams warm water (1 ⅓ cups)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the pull apart bread:
- 8 string cheese mozzarella sticks (8 oz)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- Fresh rosemary
- 32 dough balls
Instructions
- Combine the flour, salt, and yeast in a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir to combine. Add the water and olive oil and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.
- Knead the dough by pushing with the base of your palm, then reforming it into a ball. Continue kneading for 8 minutes until the dough feels pillowy and has a smooth, stretchy exterior. If the dough is very sticky, add a small amount of flour while kneading. Alternatively, attach the dough hook to a stand mixer and start the mixer on medium-low speed, then allow the mixer to knead for 8 minutes.
- Using floured hands, gently shape the dough into a boule (ball shape) by folding the dough under itself. Return to the bowl and cover with a damp towel and allow them to rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the bread into 32 equal pieces, using a scale and calculator (weigh the dough in grams, then divide it by 32; the small balls are typically around 26 grams*). Take the first piece of dough and flatten it slightly. Place a piece of cheese in the center, then form a ball with your palms, creating a smooth top and a seam at the bottom. Place the ball into a Christmas tree shape on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough and cheese. Cover with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the grated garlic and Italian seasoning and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Brush the garlic herb oil onto the dough balls, then sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Bake for 14 to 17 minutes until golden brown. Top with fresh rosemary. Serve warm.
Notes
*Try to be precise about this for best results. Try not to overwork the dough, but you can cut it multiple times to make even pieces.
Substitutes: You can substitute 1 pound pizza dough for the homemade dough. Use the same dough dividing techniques.
Storage notes: Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated up to 4 days. Reheat on a baking sheet at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
Make ahead notes: Arrange the dough balls in the tree formation, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, allow to sit at room temperature 20 to 30 minutes, brush with the garlic oil and bake.
