Description
Cheesy Christmas tree bread brings festive cheer to holiday tables with its delightful spiral design. Cheese lovers will appreciate this showstopping appetizer perfect for seasonal gatherings and celebrations. You can easily impress guests with this simple yet elegant dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (13.8 oz/392 g) can refrigerated pizza dough
- 14 mozzarella cheese cubes (about ½-inch each)
- 3 tbsps butter, melted
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp flour (for dusting)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Dough Prep: Roll out dough into a large triangle, creating a Christmas tree silhouette with a broad base and pointed top.
- Cheese Layer: Spread soft cheese mixture evenly across dough, leaving a small border for sealing and creating a rich, creamy base.
- Herb and Cheese Decoration: Strategically layer additional cheese and herbs, generating a festive green and white pattern reminiscent of holiday colors.
- Branch Formation: Precisely cut dough sides into tree-like branches using a sharp knife, creating angled strips that mimic pine branches.
- Texture Development: Twist each branch gently, allowing cheese to peek through and establishing a rustic, textured appearance.
- Glaze Application: Thoroughly brush the entire surface with egg wash to achieve a glossy, golden finish that enhances the bread’s visual appeal.
- Baking Process: Transfer the tree-shaped bread to a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in a preheated oven, baking until golden brown and cheese becomes melted and bubbly.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, allow brief cooling to set cheese, then garnish with additional herbs or grated cheese for a final festive presentation.
Notes
- Manage Dough Temperature: Keep dough slightly chilled to maintain structural integrity and prevent cheese from oozing during twisting process.
- Control Cheese Spread: Use cold, firm cheese to prevent excessive melting and ensure clean, defined branch patterns when cutting and twisting.
- Perfect Egg Wash Technique: Apply egg wash sparingly with a soft brush to achieve glossy, even golden-brown color without saturating the dough.
- Precision in Cutting: Use a sharp pizza cutter or surgical knife for clean, symmetrical branch cuts to maintain the Christmas tree’s intricate shape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg