I remember the first time I made this easy Christmas tree bread—I was craving something festive but didn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Using simple store-bought pizza dough, I twisted mozzarella bites into a fun, shareable holiday treat in under 40 minutes. This appetizer quickly became the star at my holiday parties. Don’t forget to grab my FREE Holiday Party Planner Printable to make your celebrations even easier!
Table of Contents
Christmas Tree Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the dough into 30 equal squares and the mozzarella sticks into 30 bite-size pieces.
- Place a piece of mozzarella on each dough square, then roll into balls, sealing the edges.
- Arrange the balls on the baking sheet in a tree shape, touching each other.
- Brush each ball with an egg wash (egg + water) and bake for 16-18 minutes until golden.
- Melt shortening, mix with half the parmesan, garlic, and herbs, then brush onto the rolls.
- Sprinkle with remaining parmesan and serve with marinara or pesto for dipping.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Easy Christmas Tree Bread
- Foolproof Assembly: The secret pinch-and-seal method ensures no cheese leaks out, making this recipe perfect for beginners.
- Super Quick: Using canned refrigerator pizza dough cuts prep time down, so you have more moments to enjoy your guests.
- Customizable Flavors: Whether you want savory, sweet, or dietary-friendly options, this dough-and-cheese base lets you get creative.
- Impressive Presentation: The Christmas tree shape is a showstopper that feels special but requires no fancy skills.
Ingredients & Equipment You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 13 ounce canned refrigerator pizza dough
- Parchment paper (for lining baking sheet)
- 6-7 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 large egg (+ 1 tablespoon water for egg wash)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening (melted)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil (finely chopped)
- 1 clove garlic ( grated)
- 1 jar marinara and/or pesto (for dipping)
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
Note: I’ll be linking my favorite brands for these tools to help you shop easily!
Cheese Quality Callout
| Quality | Description | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Best | Low-moisture mozzarella block | Firmer, less oily, great meltability |
| Better | Mozzarella sticks | Convenient size, good texture |
| Good | Pre-shredded mozzarella | Easy, but may be oilier and less stretchy |
Choosing the Best Dough for Your Bread (My Top Picks)
| Dough Type | Texture | Ease of Use | Flavor & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned Refrigerator Dough | Soft, fluffy | Very easy; pre-portioned | Mild flavor, consistent results; my go-to choice |
| Refrigerated Deli Pizza Dough | Thin, chewy | Requires portioning/care | Great flavor; can be slightly tougher to shape |
| Frozen Dough Balls | Dense, hearty | Needs thawing; more prep | Rich flavor, nice texture but less forgiving |
Aisha’s Pick: Canned refrigerator pizza dough offers the best convenience and consistent texture, especially for busy cooks looking for quick, foolproof results.
How to Make Christmas Tree Bread (Step-by-Step)
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet. Preheat to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut dough and cheese. Slice the dough into 30 equal squares and cut mozzarella sticks into 30 bite-size 1-inch pieces.
- Form dough balls with cheese. Place a mozzarella piece on each dough square, then carefully pinch the edges to seal and roll into smooth balls. This sealing step is crucial to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- Arrange the bread tree. Place the filled dough balls seam side down on the baking sheet. Arrange them touching to form a tree shape.
- Brush with egg wash. Mix egg and water, then lightly brush onto each ball for a beautiful golden finish.
- Bake until golden. Bake for 16–18 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prepare herb butter. While baking, melt vegetable shortening and mix with half the parmesan, garlic, and herbs.
- Brush and garnish. Remove rolls from oven, brush the herb butter on top, then sprinkle remaining parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with marinara and/or pesto for dipping.
Pro tip: For a close-up look at the pinch and seal technique, check out the video below!
Watch How to Make It (Video Tutorial)
Watch this quick video to see exactly how I form the Christmas tree shape and master the pinch-and-roll technique. It’s the best way to guarantee no cheese leaks and a perfect, golden finish every time.
Pro Tips for Foolproof Results
- Work with room temperature dough; it’s softer and easier to shape without tearing.
- The egg wash is key for that shiny, golden-brown crust you’ll crave.
- Don’t overfill the dough balls; a 1-inch piece of cheese is just right to avoid bursting.
- Use the pinch and roll technique: pinch the dough edges together firmly then gently roll between your palms to seal completely. This prevents cheese from oozing out while baking.
Fun Variations for Your Christmas Tree Bread
Savory Variations
| Variation Name | Filling | Topping |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperoni & Provolone | Mini pepperoni slices | Sprinkle oregano |
| Jalapeño & Cheddar | Diced jalapeño, cheddar | Crushed red pepper flakes |
| Spinach & Feta | Chopped spinach, feta | Sesame seeds |
Sweet Variations
| Variation Name | Filling | Topping |
|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon Sugar & Cream Cheese | Sweetened cream cheese | Cinnamon sugar sprinkle |
| Nutella-stuffed | Nutella spread | Powdered sugar |
Dietary Accommodations
| Variation Name | Filling | Topping |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Use gluten-free dough | Gluten-free herb mix |
| Vegan | Vegan cheese alternatives | Nutritional yeast & herbs |
The Best Dipping Sauces to Serve Alongside (with Recipes)
Elevate this bread with these easy homemade dips:
- Hot Honey Butter: Melt 4 tbsp butter, stir in 2 tbsp honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a sweet heat kick.
- Creamy Pesto Dip: Mix ½ cup sour cream or vegan cream with 3 tbsp pesto for a fresh herby dip.
Full recipes for these sauces are available on the blog for your party planning pleasure.
Make-Ahead and Storage Guide
- Assemble and Freeze Unbaked: Form dough balls with cheese, freeze on parchment-lined tray, then store in freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra 5 minutes.
- Bake Ahead and Reheat: Bake rolls, cool, and refrigerate. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes or in an air fryer at 320°F for 4-5 minutes to restore crispness.
- Transporting: Use a sturdy container or cake carrier; keep covered to maintain freshness and avoid drying out during travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese all leaked out | Edges not sealed tightly enough | Pinch and roll seams firmly before baking |
| Bottom burnt, top pale | Oven rack too low or uneven heat | Bake on middle rack; rotate sheet midway |
| Bread is dry | Overbaked or dough too old | Reduce bake time slightly; use fresh dough |
How do I double this recipe for a large party?
Simply double the dough, cheese, and other ingredients. Use two baking sheets and bake one at a time or rotate trays carefully if baking simultaneously.
Can I use crescent roll or puff pastry dough instead?
You can, but these doughs are flakier and may not seal the cheese as well. The texture will be different, less bread-like and more buttery.
Conclusion
This easy Christmas tree bread is a guaranteed holiday hit that’ll impress your guests while keeping your stress low. I’d love to hear which flavor variations you try and any tips you discover along the way! Leave a comment below with your questions. Made our Christmas Tree Bread? We’d love to see it! Tag us @AishaRecipes on Instagram and use #AishaRecipes for a chance to be featured!
Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
For full ingredient details and step-by-step instructions, please refer above. Don’t forget to check out our main Holiday Appetizers category page for more festive ideas!
