Christmas Tree Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun and festive twist on cheesy bread this holiday season, you’re going to absolutely fall in love with my Christmas Tree Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread Recipe. This isn’t just any cheesy bread—it’s shaped like a Christmas tree, oozing with melty mozzarella, and perfect for sharing (or sneaking bites from before guests arrive). It’s easy, impressive, and trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic in this Christmas Tree Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread Recipe comes from simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that pack a big flavor punch together. Using prepared pizza dough makes it quick, and quality mozzarella is key to that perfect melt.

• Prepared pizza dough: Using store-bought dough saves you time and guarantees soft, fluffy bread every time.
• Mozzarella cheese sticks: These are perfect for portioning and melting nicely inside the dough pockets.
• Italian seasoning: Adds a subtle herby kick, making the bread taste extra special.
• Garlic powder: For a touch of savory depth without overpowering the cheese.
• Large egg: Mixed with water, it creates a beautiful golden egg wash for a shiny crust.
• Butter (melted): Brushing it on after baking adds richness and helps hold on to fresh parsley and parmesan.
• Fresh parsley (finely chopped): Brightens the flavor and adds a pop of holiday green.
• Grated parmesan cheese: A perfect salty finish that complements the mozzarella.
• Marinara sauce: For dipping, because what’s cheesy bread without a little sauce to dunk into?

Variations

I love that this Christmas Tree Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread Recipe is super versatile, so I often tweak it depending on what I have on hand or who I’m serving it to. Feel free to get creative!

• Cheese Variations: Sometimes I swap out mozzarella sticks for a mix of cheeses like provolone or sharp cheddar for a different flavor profile—it still melts beautifully.
• Herb Tweaks: Adding fresh rosemary or thyme along with parsley gives the bread an extra fragrant holiday boost.
• Spicy Kick: If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes inside each dough ball for a subtle heat that balances the cheesy richness.
• Gluten-Free Option: You can try this recipe with gluten-free pizza dough, but keep an eye on baking times since alternative doughs can bake faster or slower.

How to Make Christmas Tree Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dough

First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps your bread from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. While that’s heating up, let your prepared pizza dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes—this makes it easier to roll and shape without tearing.

Step 2: Cut the Dough and Cheese

Here’s a handy trick I learned: cut each mozzarella cheese stick into 4 smaller pieces so you end up with 32 bite-sized cubes—perfect for stuffing. Then, roll out your dough and cut it into 32 squares. Try to keep the squares roughly the same size for even baking.

Step 3: Assemble the Dough Balls

Place one mozzarella cube on each dough square, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder, then fold the dough edges toward the center and pinch them together tightly. Roll each piece in your hands to form a neat ball. Don’t worry if it’s a bit rustic—that’s part of the charm! Just make sure the cheese is fully enclosed so it doesn’t leak out during baking.

Step 4: Shape the Tree and Egg Wash

Arrange your dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree, leaving a small “trunk” at the bottom. You’ll have a few extra balls—bake those separately for more cheesy bites! Next, whisk together the egg and water and brush this egg wash generously over each ball. This step is what gives the bread that gorgeous golden glow.

Step 5: Bake and Finish

Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 16-18 minutes or until your bread is golden brown and you can see the cheese melting inside. As soon as it comes out of the oven, brush the melted butter over the top and sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese. This extra layer of butter and herbs seals in flavor and makes it look as festive as it tastes.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Garnishes

I always garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated parmesan because it adds brightness and a nice cheesy finish. If I’m feeling festive, I like scattering a few edible gold flakes or finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes for color contrast. It makes the tree pop on the table and guests can taste the extra layers of flavor.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with anything light and fresh to balance the richness. My favorite combo is a crisp Caesar salad or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. For holiday meals, I serve it alongside a warm bowl of tomato basil soup or a platter of roasted veggies for an easy, crowd-pleasing spread.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I placed this pull-apart bread on a large wooden serving board, surrounded by small bowls filled with different dipping sauces like pesto, spicy marinara, and garlic butter. Kids and adults loved building their own flavor combos. Another fun idea is adding tiny toothpick “ornaments” by inserting colorful bell pepper pieces into a few dough balls before baking—it adds whimsy and a pop of color.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover Christmas Tree Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread (and honestly, you might not!), wrap the bread tightly in foil or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I’ve found reheating it the next day still tastes amazing if you warm it just right.

Freezing

Whenever I’ve made a double batch, I freeze extra balls before baking by placing them on a baking sheet, freezing until firm, then transferring to zip-top freezer bags. When you’re ready, no need to thaw—just bake from frozen with a few extra minutes. It’s a huge time-saver during the hectic holidays!

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I pop the bread into a preheated 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes, loosely covered with foil to avoid drying. This keeps the bread soft and the cheese melty, almost like fresh out of the oven. Avoid microwaving if you can—it tends to make the bread chewy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread Recipe turns out every time—it’s like a little holiday party you can tear into. When I first tried this, I was amazed by how simple ingredients could create such an impressive centerpiece snack. My family goes crazy for it, and it always disappears way too fast. If you want a festive, fun, and foolproof recipe to wow your guests (or just treat yourself), I highly recommend giving this one a try. It’s become my go-to holiday recipe, and I can’t wait for you to enjoy it as much as I do!

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