Cheese-Filled Christmas Tree Bread (Print-Friendly Version)
Thirty small mozzarella-filled dough parcels form a pull-apart tree with garlic-herb butter. Count the pieces before shaping so the dough and cheese divide evenly. The center parcels need to be baked through, not merely golden on top.
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House placeholder — AdSense units launch here# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Dough and Fillings
01 -
13 ounces refrigerated pizza dough
02 -
6 mozzarella cheese sticks
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
1 tablespoon water
→ Buttery Herb Topping
05 -
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
06 -
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
07 -
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 -
1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
09 -
1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
10 -
1 clove garlic, grated
→ For Serving
11 -
1 jar marinara or pesto sauce, for dipping
# How to Make It:
01 -
Heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet. Divide pizza dough into thirty even portions.
02 -
Cut each of six cheese sticks into five pieces. Wrap one piece in each dough portion and seal completely.
03 -
Arrange seam-side down in rows of one through seven balls. Add the last two as a trunk.
04 -
Beat the egg with one tablespoon water and brush lightly over the dough. Bake about sixteen to eighteen minutes, continuing until the central dough is baked through.
05 -
Melt butter and mix with half the Parmesan, garlic and chopped herbs. Brush over the hot baked bread.
06 -
Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan. Let settle briefly and serve with the chosen dipping sauce.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Cut each of the six sticks into five pieces for thirty total. Count the dough portions before filling: rows of one through seven use twenty-eight balls, leaving two for the trunk. Cut each of six cheese sticks into five pieces to match thirty dough portions. Pinch every seam closed and place it underneath so escaping cheese is less likely to spread across the tray. Keep the tree compact but do not crush the balls together. The center of the tree can lag behind the outside edges, so check a central seam for baked dough. Divide the Parmesan before mixing the herb butter and reserve the other half for finishing. Let the bread settle briefly before guests pull pieces away.