Description
Celebrate the holidays with this irresistible Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread featuring soft pizza dough encasing gooey mozzarella cheese, brushed with a flavorful garlic herb butter, and topped with Parmesan and fresh parsley for an eye-catching festive appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Cheese
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 33 cubes mozzarella cheese
Butter Mixture and Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface, then cut it into 33 equal pieces to ensure uniform baking.
- Prepare the Cheese: Cut mozzarella into 33 cubes matching the number of dough pieces for individual stuffing.
- Assemble Dough Balls: Place one mozzarella cube on each piece of dough, pinch the edges tightly to seal the cheese inside, and roll gently into smooth balls.
- Arrange Bread Tree: On the prepared baking sheet, arrange the dough balls in the shape of a Christmas tree to create a festive presentation.
- Bake: Bake the arranged dough balls in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed.
- Make Garlic Herb Butter: While baking, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave, then stir in garlic powder and Italian seasoning until combined.
- Brush Bread: Remove the baked bread from the oven and immediately brush the warm dough balls generously with the seasoned butter mixture for added flavor and shine.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley if desired for a colorful finishing touch.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy Christmas tree bread warm, ideally with sides like marinara sauce or ranch dip for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella for the best melt and taste.
- Make sure to pinch the dough well to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle a little extra Italian seasoning on top before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.
- Can be made ahead and assembled but bake just before serving for optimal freshness.
