Description
Bring the magic of the holidays to your table with this Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Bread! Soft dough balls are stuffed with gooey mozzarella, baked into a festive tree shape, brushed with garlic-herb butter, and sprinkled with parmesan. It’s fun, shareable, and perfect for dipping in marinara or pesto—no slicing required, just tear and enjoy!
Ingredients
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1 batch pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
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2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
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Marinara or pesto sauce, for serving
Instructions
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Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. -
Prepare Dough Balls:
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Roll dough into a rectangle (~½-inch thick).
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Cut into ~30 squares.
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Place 1 tsp mozzarella in the center of each, pinch edges to seal, and roll into smooth balls.
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Assemble the Tree:
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Arrange balls in a triangle shape for the tree, with 1 ball at the top, 2 below, 3 below that, and so on.
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Add 1-2 balls vertically at the bottom for the trunk. Balls should touch each other.
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Garlic Butter Glaze:
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Mix melted butter, garlic, and parsley.
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Brush generously over all dough balls.
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Bake:
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Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
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Sprinkle parmesan over the warm bread.
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Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
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Serve:
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Serve warm with marinara, pesto, or your favorite dip.
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Notes
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Cheese Choice: Use low-moisture mozzarella for gooey, stringy cheese.
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Seal Well: Slightly damp fingertips help prevent cheese leakage.
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Even Baking: Keep dough balls similar in size and check oven temperature.
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Make Ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 8 hours; then bake.
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Freezing: Fully baked bread can be wrapped and frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat at 350°F (180°C) for 15–20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Calories: 310 Cal per 1/8 of recipe
- Sugar: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g