Name: Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 oz can jumbo biscuits, each biscuit cut into fourths; 7-8 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 31 pieces; 4 tbsp salted butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 large egg, beaten; Optional: grated parmesan cheese for garnish

Nothing kicks off holiday gatherings quite like warm, buttery bread filled with gooey cheese and garlicky goodness. This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is not only a feast for your taste buds but also a centerpiece that'll wow your friends and family. Trust me, it’s as fun to make as it is to eat!

The image shows a Christmas tree shape made from 28 small round golden-brown baked bread balls arranged in a triangle on crumpled parchment paper. The bread balls are shiny and sprinkled with herbs, giving a textured look. The tree shape has six rows—one ball at the top, increasing by one with each lower row, and six balls on the bottom row. Around the tree, there are fresh green rosemary sprigs scattered. At the bottom right corner, there is a white measuring cup filled with a smooth red-orange dipping sauce. In the background, there is a white marbled surface with two glasses of light yellow drink placed to the top right, wine corks, a pair of black scissors, and some red berries adding a rustic feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the very first time I pulled apart this bread with friends, I knew it would become a holiday tradition. It's not only delicious but brings everyone together — literally, around a shared, festive treat.

Fun & Interactive: Pull-apart bread invites everyone to grab a cheesy bite — making your holiday cozy and memorable.
Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for last-minute holiday plans.
Show-Stopping Presentation: Shaped like a Christmas tree, it adds instant festive cheer to your table without any fancy skills.
Customizable Flavors: You can jazz it up with your favorite herbs, cheeses, or dips to make it truly your own.

A close-up view of 15 shiny golden brown bread rolls clustered together on brown parchment paper, each roll topped with specks of black pepper and herbs, showing a soft and slightly textured surface. To the lower right edge, a small white bowl filled with smooth bright red dipping sauce adds color contrast. A sprig of green rosemary lies near the bowl on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe comes from simple, delicious ingredients working in harmony. Each element—soft biscuit dough, melted mozzarella, rich garlic butter—combines for a comforting party hit. I always recommend fresh garlic and quality cheese for maximum flavor impact!

Flat lay of a pile of light golden biscuit dough quarters, several long white mozzarella cheese sticks cut into small chunks, a few peeled garlic cloves minced finely in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, a small white bowl with Italian seasoning herbs, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with grated pale yellow parmesan cheese, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Jumbo biscuits: Using store-bought jumbo biscuits saves time and creates perfect little dough pockets, soft yet sturdy enough to hold melted cheese.
Mozzarella cheese sticks: The go-to for melty, stretchy cheese inside each bite, string cheese works wonderfully here.
Salted butter: Adds richness and helps the garlic and herbs infuse the dough while keeping it buttery and moist.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives a punch of flavor that’s way better than garlic powder in this recipe.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that complements garlic beautifully, giving the bread that classic, cozy flavor.
Large egg: Brushed on top, this helps the bread develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust.
Parmesan cheese (optional): For a salty, nutty garnish that adds extra depth and crunch if sprinkled on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often switch up the cheeses or add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick — it’s all about making it feel like your own holiday masterpiece.

Variation: I love adding chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme into the garlic butter for an extra herbal punch — it really makes the aroma irresistible as it bakes.
Diet-friendly tweaks: If you want a gluten-free version, try gluten-free biscuit dough and swap mozzarella for a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Make it festive: Sometimes I sprinkle colorful festive edible glitter or finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes on top for a pop of color.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare your workspace and preheat the oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper — trust me, cleanup gets so much easier with the parchment. Also, gather all your ingredients so you’re not scrambling halfway through. It really sets a calm, organized vibe for baking.

Step 2: Cut the biscuits and cheese

Cut each biscuit into fourths — you’ll end up with 32 pieces, but you only need 31. Slice your mozzarella sticks into 31 matching pieces. This step is key because each shard needs enough cheese inside to remain gooey but still be easy to handle.

Step 3: Stuff and seal the dough balls

Place a small piece of mozzarella on each dough square, then pinch all the edges tightly to seal the cheese inside. Roll them gently between your hands to shape smooth balls. Make sure the seams are sealed well, or cheese might burst out while baking.

Step 4: Form the Christmas tree shape

Arrange your dough balls on the baking sheet with the seams facing down. Position them slightly touching to encourage a pull-apart effect, shaping them into a Christmas tree silhouette. Use a visual reference if you want—trust me, it looks festive and impressive!

Step 5: Apply egg wash and bake

Whisk the egg and gently brush it over the dough, giving it that beautiful golden finish. Bake for 15-17 minutes, but keep a close eye in the last few minutes to prevent over-browning. If you notice it browning too fast, tent some foil over the bread.

Step 6: Garlic butter and final touches

While baking, melt your butter and stir in the freshly minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Once the bread emerges golden, brush this flavorful garlic butter all over. If you’re a parmesan fan, sprinkle some grated parmesan on top for that extra cheesy, salty finish.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy!

Serve immediately—this bread is best enjoyed warm, when the cheese is perfectly gooey. I usually provide basil pesto and marinara on the side for dipping, but whatever floats your boat works just fine!

Top Tip

After making this recipe several times, I realized a few little tricks make all the difference for perfect pull-apart bread every time. Here are my top tips to help you nail it and impress your guests:

Seal those edges well: Pinch and smooth the dough completely around the cheese to avoid leaks and messes while baking.
Use fresh garlic: It gives a vibrant, bold flavor that dried garlic simply can’t match.
Keep the dough balls close but not squished: This helps them bake into a cohesive tree that still pulls apart easily.
Watch your oven carefully: Every oven bakes differently – check a few minutes before the minimum time to prevent over-browning.

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little grated parmesan on top right after brushing on the garlic butter because it melts perfectly and adds a lovely salty crunch. Sometimes, I add chopped fresh parsley or rosemary to brighten it up visually and flavor-wise.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with simple salad greens dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette, or a bowl of hearty tomato soup to dip into. I also like serving it alongside a charcuterie board for a full festive spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, try placing the bread on a wooden board with mini bowls of pesto, marinara, and ranch dressing for dipping. Add some twinkling fairy lights or mini ornaments around for that truly festive touch that wows your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas tree bread in an airtight container refrigerated for up to five days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or air fryer, keeping the outside crisp and the cheese melty inside — perfect for snacks or leftovers the next day.

Freezing

If I want to prep in advance, I assemble the entire unbaked Christmas tree on the baking sheet, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze it before baking. When ready to bake, I thaw it in the fridge overnight and then proceed with egg wash and baking.

Reheating

Leftovers get a quick zap in the microwave to soften the cheese, followed by a couple of minutes in the air fryer or oven to crisp the crust. This combo keeps it tasting fresh, almost like straight from the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cheeses besides mozzarella?

Absolutely! While mozzarella melts beautifully and gives that classic stretchy cheese pull, you can experiment with cheddar, provolone, or even a mix of cheeses. Just choose cheeses that melt well so the filling stays gooey.

How do I shape the dough into a Christmas tree?

Start by arranging the dough balls in a broad base and tapering upwards in layers, similar to a triangle or tree shape. Keep the balls slightly touching so they bake into one piece but still pull apart easily. There are plenty of templates online or you can eyeball it—it’s pretty forgiving!

Can I prepare the bread a day ahead?

Yes, you can assemble the unbaked bread on a lined baking sheet, cover it well with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. When ready, brush with egg wash and bake as directed. This makes it great for holiday prep!

What dipping sauces go best with this bread?

I love serving this bread with classic marinara and vibrant basil pesto. Ranch or garlic aioli are also delicious options. Really, pick your favorite sauces—there’s no wrong choice here!

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe holds a special place in my holiday kitchen because it’s easy, festive, and brings people together in the best way. I hope you enjoy making it just as much as I do—with a glass of wine, lots of laughs, and a warm heart. Give it a try and watch it disappear fast!