Description
This Pull-Apart Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread is a fun and festive appetizer made with jumbo biscuits filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, seasoned garlic butter, and Italian herbs. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this easy-to-make bread is shaped like a Christmas tree and served warm with marinara or pesto dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Biscuit and Cheese
- 16 oz can jumbo biscuits, each biscuit cut into fourths
- 7-8 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 31 pieces
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Finishing
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Optional: grated parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Biscuit Dough and Cheese: Cut each biscuit into fourths to yield 32 pieces, but use only 31 pieces. Cut the mozzarella sticks into 31 pieces as well.
- Form Cheese-Stuffed Dough Balls: Place a small portion of mozzarella cheese onto each dough square. Seal the edges securely by pinching, then roll each sealed dough piece between your hands to form smooth balls.
- Arrange Dough Balls: On the prepared baking sheet, arrange the dough balls in a Christmas tree shape, placing the seams downward and ensuring the balls slightly touch each other. Brush the surface with beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Bake the Bread: Bake for 17 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Watch closely to avoid over-browning; cover with foil if it browns too quickly.
- Make Garlic Butter & Brush: While baking, melt the butter and stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Once the bread is out of the oven, brush this garlic butter mixture generously over the rolls. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top if desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately with marinara sauce or pesto for dipping, making it a delightful holiday appetizer or snack.
Notes
- You can prepare the shaped, unbaked Christmas tree ahead of time by covering it on a baking sheet and refrigerating it up to one day before baking.
- Serve with pesto and marinara sauces for a variety of dipping options, and provide toothpicks for easy sharing at parties.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
- Garlic butter leftover from brushing can be stored in a covered small bowl and reused for other recipes like baked potatoes or garlic bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
