Description
This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft pizza dough balls filled with mozzarella are baked until golden, brushed with a flavorful garlic herb butter, and served with marinara or pesto for dipping.
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
Garlic Herb Butter Topping
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese divided
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil finely chopped
Dipping Sauces
- 1 jar marinara sauce for dipping
- 1 jar pesto sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cut Dough and Cheese: Cut the pizza dough into 30 approximately equal squares. Then cut the mozzarella sticks into 30 bite-sized pieces about 1 inch each.
- Assemble Dough Balls: Place a piece of mozzarella onto each dough square, then roll each into a smooth ball, sealing the edges around the cheese carefully.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the dough balls seam-side down on the parchment-lined baking sheet, arranging them touching each other in the shape of a Christmas tree.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat together the egg and water in a small bowl, then lightly brush the egg wash over each dough ball to give a golden finish.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until the dough balls turn golden brown on top.
- Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: While baking, microwave the butter until melted. Stir in half the parmesan cheese, grated garlic, parsley, rosemary, and basil until well combined.
- Brush and Sprinkle: Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush the garlic herb butter evenly over the baked dough balls. Then sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy Christmas tree bread warm with marinara and/or pesto sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure to seal the dough balls tightly around the cheese to prevent leaking during baking.
- You can use store-bought marinara and pesto sauces or make your own for extra freshness.
- Herbs can be varied based on your preference; oregano or thyme would also work well.
- Serve immediately after brushing the garlic herb butter while the bread is warm for best flavor.
- This recipe is great for a Christmas party appetizer or festive snack.
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: 35 mg
