Delightful Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread Recipe
This Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread is a fun, festive, and delicious holiday treat that’s perfect for gatherings. Made with soft, buttery dough and filled with gooey melted cheese, this bread is shaped like a Christmas tree and is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. The dough pieces pull apart easily, making it ideal for sharing at Christmas parties, family dinners, or holiday brunches. With a golden, crispy exterior and a cheesy interior, this pull-apart bread is a cozy, savory addition to your holiday menu. Add a sprinkle of herbs and a side of marinara sauce for dipping, and you have a perfect savory snack!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Bread, Holiday
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Marinara sauce (for dipping, optional)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir to dissolve and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Add the melted butter and activated yeast mixture. Stir until the dough comes together, then knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
- Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano, and garlic powder.
- Shape the tree: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Punch down the dough and roll it out into a rectangle (about 12×16 inches). Use a cookie cutter or a sharp knife to cut the dough into star or triangle shapes to form the tree shape on a lined baking sheet.
- Assemble the pull-apart bread: Layer the dough triangles, slightly overlapping, on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Make sure to leave space between each piece for easy pulling. Sprinkle the cheese mixture between each layer of dough.
- Brush with egg wash: Whisk the egg and brush it over the dough for a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake: Bake the tree-shaped bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow the bread to cool for a few minutes, then serve warm with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- You can make the dough the day before and let it rise in the fridge overnight to save time.
- If you prefer a more seasoned filling, you can add crushed red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning to the cheese mixture.
- For a vegetarian option, you can omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese alternative.
Keywords: Christmas Tree Bread, Pull-Apart Bread, Holiday Bread, Christmas Appetizers, Savory Bread, Christmas Party Snacks, Cheesy Bread, Christmas Tree Recipe, Pull-Apart Bread Recipe, Festive Bread