Description
Dive into the most festive and fun appetizer of the season with this Cheesy Holiday Tree Bread. It’s a warm, pillowy bread generously stuffed with ooey-gooey cheese, cleverly arranged into a delightful Christmas tree shape.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tubes of refrigerated pizza dough
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Fresh parsley or rosemary for garnish
- Optional: 1 cup cooked beef crumbles
- 1 egg + splash of water for egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- On a lightly floured surface, unroll one tube of pizza dough. Roll it gently into a 14×10-inch rectangle. Repeat with the second tube.
- Spread about ½ cup marinara evenly over one dough rectangle, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella. If using, scatter half of your cooked beef crumbles or other fillings. Finish with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Place the second dough rectangle directly on top, matching edges. Press gently to seal.
- Using a sharp knife, trim the dough into a large triangle (Christmas tree shape). Save trimmings for the trunk. Leave a 1-inch center strip (your 'trunk'). Cut horizontal 1-inch wide strips from the center outwards on both sides (7-9 strips per side).
- Gently twist each horizontal strip a few times. Lay them back down, spread out to create tree branches.
- Form a small rectangle from saved trimmings for the trunk. Cut a small star from remaining dough for the top, if desired.
- Whisk one egg with a splash of water for an egg wash. Lightly brush the entire tree bread. Transfer to oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with fresh parsley or rosemary. Cool for a few minutes, then serve warm with extra marinara for dipping!
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Don't overfill to avoid bursting during baking. Chill dough if it becomes sticky. Customize fillings with different cheeses and herbs. Serve with warm marinara, ranch dressing, or pesto.