Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

This cheesy Christmas tree bread is a show-stopping pull-apart appetizer that’s surprisingly easy to make with store-bought pizza dough. Warm, buttery, garlicky dough balls filled with melty mozzarella cheese are arranged in a festive Christmas tree shape, brushed with herb-garlic butter, and sprinkled with Parmesan. Perfect for holiday parties, Christmas dinner, or any festive gathering, this pull-apart bread disappears quickly and gets rave reviews from both kids and adults.

The beauty of this Christmas tree pull-apart bread lies in its impressive presentation combined with simple preparation. Using refrigerated pizza dough eliminates the need for yeast proofing and kneading, making this recipe accessible even for beginner cooks. Each dough ball contains a cube of mozzarella that melts into gooey perfection during baking. The fresh herb-garlic butter brushed on top adds irresistible flavor, while the Christmas tree shape makes it perfect for holiday entertaining.

Why This Christmas Tree Bread is Perfect for Holidays

This festive bread checks all the boxes for successful holiday entertaining. It looks impressive—guests always comment on the creative tree shape—but it’s actually incredibly simple to make. The hands-on time is minimal, with most of the work being assembly rather than complicated cooking techniques. Even kids can help roll the dough balls, making this a fun family activity during the holiday season.

The flavor combination is universally appealing. Warm bread, melted cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs create an irresistible combination that works as an appetizer, side dish, or party food. Serve it with marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or pesto for dipping, and watch it disappear within minutes. The pull-apart format means no utensils needed—guests simply pull off individual portions, making it perfect for casual gatherings.

This recipe is also wonderfully make-ahead friendly. You can prepare the dough balls hours or even days in advance, refrigerate or freeze them, then bake just before serving. This advance prep capability is invaluable during the busy holiday season when oven space and time are at a premium.

Ingredients for Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

Main Ingredients:

• 13 oz refrigerated pizza dough (1 tube Pillsbury pizza crust)
• 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1 large egg plus 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

Herb Garlic Butter:

• 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 or minced

For Serving:

• Marinara sauce, pizza sauce, and/or pesto for dipping

Understanding Key Ingredients

Refrigerated Pizza Dough: This is the time-saving magic behind this easy recipe. Pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust comes in tubes in the refrigerated section near biscuits and crescent rolls. The dough is already perfectly mixed and ready to use—no rising time required. You can also use pizza dough from your grocery store’s bakery or deli section. If using homemade pizza dough, make sure it’s at room temperature for easier handling.

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: String cheese sticks are perfect for this recipe because they’re pre-portioned and easy to cut into uniform pieces. Use whole milk mozzarella for the best melting quality. Low-moisture mozzarella works better than fresh mozzarella, which contains too much water and can make the dough soggy. Each stick should yield about 5 pieces.

Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley, rosemary, and basil create authentic Italian flavor that elevates this bread from good to exceptional. The herbs stay vibrant and aromatic when mixed into the butter. If you must substitute with dried herbs, use about 1/3 the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. However, fresh herbs really do make a noticeable difference.

Fresh Garlic: Freshly grated or minced garlic provides the best flavor. A microplane grater creates a paste-like consistency that distributes evenly throughout the butter. Garlic powder can substitute in a pinch—use 1/4 teaspoon to replace one clove—but fresh garlic delivers superior taste.

Egg Wash: The egg wash (egg beaten with water) creates that gorgeous golden-brown sheen and helps the Parmesan cheese stick to the bread. It also contributes to the slight crispness on the outside while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.

How to Make Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet (approximately 12×18 inches) with parchment paper. Having your workspace organized before starting makes assembly much smoother.

Step 2: Cut the Pizza Dough

Open the tube of refrigerated pizza dough and unroll it onto a lightly floured surface. The dough should be rectangular, roughly 8×12 inches. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into 30 approximately equal squares. Don’t worry about perfection—slight variations won’t affect the final result. Each square should be roughly 1.5 inches.

Step 3: Cut the Cheese

Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks into 30 pieces, each about 1 inch long. Consistency in size ensures even melting and uniform dough balls. Having all your cheese pieces ready before assembling makes the process much faster.

Step 4: Form the Dough Balls

Place one piece of mozzarella in the center of each dough square. Bring the edges of the dough up and around the cheese, pinching firmly to seal completely. Roll the dough between your palms to create a smooth, tightly sealed ball. This sealing step is crucial—any openings will allow cheese to leak out during baking.

Place each finished ball seam-side down on a plate or tray as you work. The seam-down placement prevents them from opening during baking.

Step 5: Arrange in Tree Shape

On your prepared baking sheet, arrange the dough balls seam-side down in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with one ball at the top for the tree topper. The second row should have 2 balls, the third row 3 balls, fourth row 4 balls, and so on. Each ball should lightly touch its neighbors—this helps them bake together into a cohesive pull-apart bread rather than individual rolls.

A typical arrangement looks like this:

• Row 1: 1 ball
• Row 2: 2 balls
• Row 3: 3 balls
• Row 4: 4 balls
• Row 5: 5 balls
• Row 6: 6 balls
• Row 7: 7 balls
• Row 8: 2 balls (tree trunk)

Step 6: Apply Egg Wash

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water until well combined. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the egg wash over the top and sides of each dough ball. The egg wash gives the bread its beautiful golden color and slight shine. Don’t apply too heavily or it will pool—a light coating is sufficient.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for 16-18 minutes until the bread turns golden brown and the dough feels firm when gently pressed. The balls will puff up and connect during baking, creating that characteristic pull-apart texture. The cheese inside should be fully melted and gooey. If the tops start browning too quickly before the center balls are done, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the last few minutes.

Step 8: Prepare Herb Garlic Butter

While the bread bakes, microwave the butter in a small bowl for 15-30 seconds until completely melted. Stir in half the Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup), all the grated garlic, and all the chopped fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, and basil). Mix well to combine—the herbs should be evenly distributed throughout the butter.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Remove the bread from the oven when golden brown. Immediately brush the herb garlic butter generously over the entire surface, making sure to coat all the balls. The butter will soak into the warm bread, infusing every bite with garlicky, herby goodness.

Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup) over the top while the bread is still hot so it adheres and melts slightly.

Serve immediately while warm with bowls of marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or pesto for dipping. The bread is best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the cheese is at its meltiest.

Pro Tips for Perfect Pull-Apart Bread

Seal Dough Balls Tightly: Pinch the seams firmly and roll well to prevent cheese leakage. Unsealed balls will leak cheese during baking, creating a mess and leaving you with hollow dough balls.

Keep Balls Touching: Arrange balls so they lightly touch—this helps them bake into a cohesive tree rather than separate rolls. The slight connection makes pulling them apart satisfying.

Don’t Overbake: Remove from the oven as soon as the bread turns golden brown. Overbaking creates tough, dry bread instead of soft, fluffy perfection.

Use Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs work in a pinch, fresh herbs provide superior flavor and aroma that really elevates this recipe.

Serve Warm: This bread is best served immediately while the cheese is still melty. If needed, reheat gently wrapped in foil at 250°F for 10-15 minutes.

Light-Colored Baking Sheet: A light-colored pan prevents the bottoms from browning too quickly. Dark pans absorb more heat and can cause burnt bottoms.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Refrigerate (Same Day): Prepare the dough balls and arrange in the tree shape on the baking sheet. Do not apply egg wash yet. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. When ready to bake, let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, brush with egg wash, and bake as directed.

Freeze for Later: Form the cheese-filled dough balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet (do not arrange in tree shape yet). Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 2-2.5 hours until solid. Transfer frozen balls to a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw at room temperature for 45 minutes, arrange in tree shape, brush with egg wash, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.

Creative Variations

Pepperoni Pizza Bread: Add a small piece of pepperoni inside each ball along with the mozzarella for pizza flavor.

Spinach Artichoke Version: Fill balls with spinach artichoke dip instead of just cheese. Seal extra carefully to prevent leaking.

Different Shapes: Arrange balls in a wreath shape, Mickey Mouse head, or simple rectangle for different occasions.

Cheese Varieties: Try cubed cheddar, pepper jack, or Italian cheese blend for different flavors.

Add Jalapeños: Include a small piece of pickled jalapeño with the cheese for spicy kick.

Italian Sausage Addition: Add a small piece of cooked crumbled Italian sausage with the cheese.

Dessert Version: Fill with chocolate and chopped nuts, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar instead of the savory toppings.

Storage and Reheating

Room Temperature: Best consumed immediately while warm. Can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours.

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Wrap in aluminum foil and warm in a 250°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual portions for 15-20 seconds, though the texture won’t be quite as good.

Freezing Baked Bread: Freeze completely cooled bread in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then reheat wrapped in foil at 300°F for 15-20 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pie crust or biscuit dough instead? Pie crust will work but won’t be as fluffy since it doesn’t contain yeast. Biscuit dough works well—roll it thinner or separate the layers if the biscuits are thick. Adjust baking temperature to match the biscuit can directions (usually 350°F).

Why didn’t my dough brown? Your oven temperature may be inaccurate. Use an oven thermometer to verify. Also ensure you’re not opening the oven door frequently, which causes heat loss.

Can I use shredded cheese? While cubed cheese works best, shredded mozzarella can be used. However, it’s harder to shape the dough balls around shredded cheese, and they may contain less cheese overall.

The cheese leaked out—what went wrong? The dough balls weren’t sealed properly. Pinch seams very firmly and place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Also ensure cheese pieces aren’t too large.

Can I make this ahead? Yes! See the make-ahead instructions above for both refrigerator and freezer options.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs? Use 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning in place of the fresh rosemary and basil, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.

How many people does this serve? As an appetizer, this serves 8-10 people. As a side dish, it serves 6-8.

This cheesy Christmas tree bread is guaranteed to become a holiday tradition in your home. With its impressive presentation, irresistible flavor, and simple preparation, it’s the perfect addition to any festive celebration!