Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread That Everyone Loves

The holiday season is a time for festive cheer, cozy gatherings, and, most importantly, incredible food. While cookies and roasts often steal the spotlight, a true crowd-pleaser that combines visual spectacle with irresistible flavor is the Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread.

This isn’t just an appetizer; it’s a dynamic, interactive centerpiece that transforms simple ingredients—like soft dough and gooey mozzarella—into a show-stopping holiday creation. Perfect for a Christmas Eve party, a cozy movie night, or a Boxing Day brunch, Christmas Tree Bread is designed to delight every guest.

The Magic Behind the Festive Christmas Tree Bread

This recipe hits the sweet spot between gourmet presentation and effortless execution. It leverages user intent by focusing on a simple, high-impact holiday appetizer. The key is using ready-made dough, which cuts down on prep time while delivering a reliably fluffy, golden-brown result.

Core Entities: The Building Blocks of Flavor

• Refrigerated Pizza Dough or Biscuits: The foundation of the tree. Using pre-made dough is the secret to a quick and easy recipe.
• Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (or String Cheese): The essential filling that melts into gooey, irresistible pockets of cheese.¹
• Garlic Butter Glaze: The aromatic topping, typically a mix of melted butter, fresh or powdered garlic, and herbs.²
• Parmesan Cheese: A salty, sharp finish that adds a beautiful golden crust.³
• Marinara or Pizza Sauce: The non-negotiable sidekick for dipping.

Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

This recipe is designed for maximum flavor and visual appeal with minimal fuss.

Ingredients You Will Need For Christmas Tree Bread

For the Bread & Filling

• 1 (13.8 oz) tube refrigerated pizza dough or 1 (16 oz) can of large refrigerated biscuits (e.g., Pillsbury Grands)⁴
• 6-8 mozzarella cheese sticks (or approximately 32 small cubes of cheese)⁵
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water (for the egg wash)⁶

For the Garlic Herb Glaze

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted⁷
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic or $1/2$ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or a mix of dried basil and oregano⁸
• $1/4$ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)⁹
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped¹⁰

For Serving

• 1 jar marinara sauce, warmed

Christmas Tree Bread Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to craft your impressive Christmas Tree Bread.

Step 1: Prep the Dough and Cheese

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to ¹¹$400^{\circ}\text{F}$ (¹²$200^{\circ}\text{C}$).¹³ Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper—this is crucial for easy cleanup and transferring the tree.¹⁴
2. Cut the Cheese: Slice each mozzarella stick into ¹⁵$4$ equal pieces, giving you about 32 small cheese cubes.¹⁶
3. Divide the Dough: If using pizza dough, unroll and slice it into approximately 32 equal squares.¹⁷ If using biscuits, cut each biscuit into four quarters.¹⁸

Step 2: Stuff and Shape the Balls

1. Stuff the Dough: Take one square/quarter of dough, flatten it slightly, and place one piece of mozzarella cheese in the center.
2. Seal and Roll: Pinch the edges of the dough together securely to seal the cheese inside.¹⁹ Roll the stuffed dough in your hands to form a smooth ball. Tip: Make sure the seam is tightly closed to prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking.
3. Form the Tree: Arrange the dough balls, seam-side down, on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree.²⁰ Start with a single ball at the top (the star), then a row of two, a row of three, and so on, working your way down to the base.²¹ A common pattern is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, with a final row of 3 for the trunk. Ensure the balls are touching snugly so they bake into a single, cohesive unit.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

1. Egg Wash: Whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash.²² Gently brush the tops and sides of the dough balls with the wash. This promotes a beautiful, golden-brown color.
2. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the bread is puffed up and deeply golden.²³

Step 4: Glaze and Garnish

1. Prepare the Glaze: While the bread is baking, melt the butter in a small bowl. Stir in the minced garlic (or powder), Italian seasoning, and $1/4$ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
2. Glaze the Hot Bread: Immediately upon removing the tree bread from the oven, use a pastry brush to liberally coat the entire surface with the hot garlic-herb butter glaze.²⁴
3. Garnish: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley and any remaining Parmesan cheese over the glazed bread.²⁵ The green parsley acts as a final, festive garnish.
4. Serve: Transfer the bread to a serving platter (using the parchment paper to help lift it) and serve immediately with warmed marinara sauce for dipping.²⁶

Expert Tips & Delicious Variations

To take your Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread to the next level:

• Use Pesto for Color: For an even greener, more vibrant tree, substitute the garlic butter glaze for a homemade or store-bought Basil Pesto. Simply brush the pesto on after baking.
• Flavor Boosters: Mix red pepper flakes into the garlic butter for a touch of heat, or add everything bagel seasoning on top for a savory, crunchy crust.
• Creative ‘Ornaments’: For extra flair, tuck small pieces of sun-dried tomato or a sprinkle of shredded white cheddar onto the bread balls right before baking to act as ‘ornaments.’
• The Dough: If you use crescent roll dough, you’ll get a flakier, less dense bread. Be sure to pinch all seams firmly shut, as the layers are more prone to separating.

For another festive holiday treat, try our Easy & Decadent Christmas Tree Brownie Bites recipe

A Final Word

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread embodies the spirit of the holidays: it’s warm, inviting, and meant to be shared. The true joy comes from gathering around the table and pulling off a warm, gooey, cheesy piece of the tree—no knife or fork required! It’s a simple, edible masterpiece that your friends and family will remember long after the ornaments are packed away.

Don’t let your holiday appetizer table be boring this year, Take a picture of your festive creation and share it with us on social media using the hashtag #FestiveCheesyBread.

Ready to spread the cheer? Grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and start a new, delicious tradition today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)