Description
This festive Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is a delightful and interactive holiday appetizer featuring bite-sized mozzarella-stuffed dough balls seasoned with Italian herbs, baked to golden perfection, and served with marinara sauce for dipping. Perfect for gatherings, this fun-to-make bread combines cheesy goodness with aromatic herbs, making it a crowd-pleaser that’s both delicious and visually appealing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread:
- 1 pound prepared pizza dough
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
For Serving:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Allow the prepared pizza dough to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Cut Cheese and Dough: Slice each mozzarella cheese stick into 4 equal pieces, yielding 32 bite-size cheese cubes. Then roll out the dough and cut it into 32 squares, roughly matching the number of cheese pieces.
- Assemble Dough Balls: Place one mozzarella cube on each dough square. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and garlic powder evenly over the cheese. Fold the edges of the dough squares toward the center to encapsulate the cheese, pinch the edges tightly to seal, then gently roll into smooth balls.
- Shape and Place Dough Balls: Place the sealed dough balls seam-side down onto the prepared baking sheet, arranging them in the shape of a Christmas tree with a small trunk at the bottom. You will have three extra dough balls which can be baked separately on the side.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture over each dough ball to promote a golden, shiny crust during baking.
- Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes or until the bread turns golden brown and the mozzarella inside has melted.
- Finish and Garnish: Once baked, immediately brush the tops of the bread balls with melted butter. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese for added flavor and a festive look.
- Serve: Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious party appetizer or holiday treat.
Notes
- This recipe is ideal for holiday gatherings and shares well among guests.
- Using prepared pizza dough saves time and ensures a soft, chewy texture.
- Ensure the dough is properly sealed around the cheese to prevent leakage during baking.
- Feel free to customize the seasonings or dipping sauce to your preference.
- Best served warm for optimal cheesy pull-apart experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 ounces
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 818 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 46 mg
