This Christmas tree pull-apart bread is the appetizer everyone gathers around. Soft dough balls are stuffed with mozzarella, arranged into a Christmas tree on a baking sheet, brushed with garlic herb butter, and baked until golden. Then everyone pulls off a piece, dips it in warm marinara, and gets a perfect cheese pull.
It looks like it took hours, but the shortcut is store-bought pizza dough. You just cut, stuff, roll, and arrange. Kids love helping build the tree.
It is a great centerpiece next to my Christmas tree pizza bites, cheese stuffed garlic rolls, and a Christmas tree salad.
JUMP TO
- Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
- What Is Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread?
- Ingredients
- Kitchen Equipment
- Ingredient Tips
- How to Make Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
- Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
- Delicious Variations
- What to Serve with Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
- Storage Instructions
- Can You Make It Ahead?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Estimated Nutrition
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
This bread is part appetizer, part holiday decoration.
Festive Shape
A show-stopping tree for your table.
Cheesy Centers
Every ball hides melted mozzarella.
Easy Dough
Uses store-bought pizza dough.
Kid-Friendly Project
Great to make together.
Perfect for Dipping
Marinara, ranch, or garlic butter.
What Is Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread?
Pull-apart bread is a loaf made from many small dough pieces that bake together, so you can tear off bite-size pieces with your hands.
Shaping it like a Christmas tree became a viral holiday trend because it is fun, easy, and makes a great centerpiece.
This savory version is like cheesy garlic knots arranged in a tree, perfect for dipping.
Ingredients
Bread
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Store-bought pizza dough, room temperature | 2 pounds | Base |
| Low-moisture mozzarella, cut into 30 small cubes | 8 ounces | Gooey centers |
| Small piece bell pepper or cheese star (optional) | 1 | Tree topper |
Garlic Herb Butter
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, melted | 6 tablespoons | Richness |
| Garlic cloves, minced | 4 | Flavor |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 tablespoons | Green color |
| Italian seasoning | ½ teaspoon | Herbs |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon | Seasoning |
| Grated parmesan | ¼ cup | Topping |
For Dipping
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Warm marinara sauce | 1½ cups | Dip |
Kitchen Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Bench scraper or knife
- Pastry brush
- Small saucepan or microwave bowl
Ingredient Tips
Room Temperature Dough
Cold dough shrinks back and is hard to shape.
Low-Moisture Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella is too wet and leaks.
Freeze the Cheese Cubes
15 minutes in the freezer helps them melt slowly instead of leaking.
Fresh Garlic
Much better than garlic powder here.
Homemade Dough Works
Use any pizza or roll dough you love.
How to Make Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Step 1: Heat the Oven
Heat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment.
Step 2: Divide the Dough
Cut the dough into about 30 equal pieces, roughly 1 ounce each.
Step 3: Stuff the Balls
Flatten each piece, place a mozzarella cube in the center, and pinch the dough around it to seal. Roll into a smooth ball.
Step 4: Build the Tree
Arrange the balls seam side down in rows to make a triangle: 1 ball at the top, then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, with 2 balls at the bottom for the trunk. Leave a tiny gap between balls.
Step 5: Brush with Butter
Mix the melted butter, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and salt. Brush half over the dough.
Step 6: Bake
Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Brush with the remaining garlic butter, sprinkle with parmesan and parsley, and add the star topper. Serve warm with marinara.
Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Seal Well
Pinch tightly so the cheese stays inside.
Small Gaps
The balls puff and bake together.
Tent with Foil
If the top browns too fast, cover loosely.
Butter Twice
Before and after baking for the best flavor.
Serve Hot
The cheese pull is best warm.
Delicious Variations
Pesto
Brush with pesto instead of garlic butter.
Pepperoni
Add a slice of pepperoni with the cheese.
Biscuit Dough
Use canned biscuits cut in half for a quicker version.
Everything Bagel
Sprinkle with everything seasoning.
Sweet Version
Use cinnamon roll dough, cinnamon sugar, and a glaze.
What to Serve with Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Set it in the center of the appetizer table with a bowl of marinara at the trunk.
Serve with stuffed mushrooms and other warm bites.
It is also a great side for lasagna or soup on Christmas Eve.
Storage Instructions
| Storage Method | How Long | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 3 days | Wrapped in foil |
| Freezer (baked) | 2 months | Wrapped in foil and a freezer bag |
| Room Temperature | 1 day | Wrapped, if eaten soon |
Reheat wrapped in foil at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Unwrap for the last 2 minutes to crisp the top.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Shape the tree, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours. Let it sit 30 minutes at room temperature before baking.
The garlic butter can be made 3 days ahead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cold Dough
Shrinks and tears.
Fresh Mozzarella
Too much water.
Loose Seams
Cheese leaks and burns.
Packing Too Tight
Centers stay doughy.
Underbaking
Raw middles; look for deep golden color.
Estimated Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 |
| Carbohydrates | 34g |
| Protein | 10g |
| Fat | 11g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Sodium | 560mg |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
Estimate per serving without marinara, based on 12 servings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes. Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly. You can also use frozen bread or roll dough, thawed.
Can I make Christmas tree pull-apart bread ahead?
Yes. Shape it, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours, then bake.
What cheese works best?
Low-moisture mozzarella melts well without leaking water. String cheese pieces also work.
What do you dip it in?
Warm marinara is classic, but ranch, pesto, and garlic butter are great too.
Can I use canned biscuits?
Yes. Cut biscuits in half, wrap around the cheese, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
Conclusion
Christmas tree pull-apart bread is fun to make, gorgeous to serve, and full of gooey cheese.
Build one with your family this year and make it a new holiday tradition.
PrintChristmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread with Garlic Butter and Mozzarella
Soft dough balls stuffed with mozzarella, arranged in a Christmas tree shape, brushed with garlic herb butter, and baked until golden and gooey.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings (about 30 rolls) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Bread:
2 pounds store-bought pizza dough, room temperature
8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, cut into 30 small cubes
1 small piece bell pepper or cheese star (optional)
Garlic Herb Butter:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup grated parmesan
For Dipping:
1½ cups warm marinara sauce
Instructions
Heat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment.
Cut the dough into about 30 equal pieces, roughly 1 ounce each.
Flatten each piece, place a mozzarella cube in the center, and pinch the dough around it to seal. Roll into a smooth ball.
Arrange the balls seam side down in rows to make a triangle: 1 ball at the top, then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, with 2 balls at the bottom for the trunk. Leave a tiny gap between balls.
Mix the melted butter, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and salt. Brush half over the dough.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Brush with the remaining garlic butter, sprinkle with parmesan and parsley, and add the star topper. Serve warm with marinara.
Notes
Let dough come to room temperature.
Freeze cheese cubes 15 minutes before stuffing.
Leave small gaps between balls.
Serve warm with marinara.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 to 3 rolls
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
