Description
A festive and delicious Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread made from pizza dough stuffed with mozzarella, seasoned with herbs and garlic, baked until golden, and served with marinara or pesto for dipping. Perfect as a holiday appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Cheese
- 13 ounce canned refrigerator pizza dough
- 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
- Parchment paper for lining baking sheet
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Herb Butter Topping
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese divided
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic grated
Dipping Sauces
- 1 jar marinara and/or pesto for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dough and Cheese: Cut the dough into 30 approximately equal squares. Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks into 30 bite-size 1-inch pieces.
- Assemble Cheese Balls: Place one piece of mozzarella in each dough square, then form a ball by rolling with your hands, smoothing and sealing the edges tightly around the cheese.
- Shape Bread Tree: Arrange the cheese-filled dough balls seam side down on the prepared baking sheet in a tree shape, making sure the balls are touching one another.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg with water in a small bowl and lightly brush each dough ball with the egg wash to give a glossy finish after baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until the bread turns golden brown on top.
- Prepare Herb Butter: While baking, microwave the butter until melted. Stir in half of the grated parmesan cheese, grated garlic, and finely chopped herbs (parsley, rosemary, basil).
- Brush and Garnish: When the bread comes out of the oven, brush the herb butter mixture generously over the rolls. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top for extra flavor.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy bread tree warm with marinara sauce and/or pesto on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure to seal the edges of the dough balls well to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- You can substitute mozzarella sticks with shredded mozzarella or other melting cheeses if preferred.
- Fresh herbs can be replaced with dried herbs using about one-third the quantity.
- For a crispier crust, brush with egg wash twice before baking.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven at 350° F for 5-7 minutes to regain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
