Get ready to dazzle your holiday guests with this incredible pull apart Christmas tree bread! Crafted with convenience in mind, this recipe transforms simple canned biscuits into a festive and irresistible appetizer. Imagine warm, gooey cheese surrounded by soft, garlicky dough, all shaped like a beautiful Christmas tree. It is the perfect savory centerpiece for any holiday gathering, bringing smiles and deliciousness to your table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy Prep: Using canned biscuits dramatically cuts down on prep time, making this a breeze for busy schedules.
- Impressive Festive Presentation: The Christmas tree shape is adorable and instantly elevates your holiday snack spread.
- Delicious Warm, Melty Cheese: Each bite delivers a burst of gooey, savory cheese, encased in soft, herbed dough.
- Customizable for Any Occasion: Easily adapt the flavors or shape to suit different holidays or personal preferences.
- Crowd-P\leasing Appetizer: This cheesy pull apart Christmas tree bread disappears fast at parties, loved by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Gather these simple items to create your delightful pull apart Christmas tree bread:
- 4 string cheese mozzarella sticks
- 4 Colby-Monterey Jack cheese sticks
- 16 ounce can large biscuits (we used Pillsbury Grands, 8 biscuits)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 3 Tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
- 1 cup pizza sauce
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adapt this recipe to your pantry or taste! For biscuits, try any large canned flaky or homestyle variety. Feel free to use other meltable cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or a mixed Italian blend instead of the string cheese. For the dipping sauce, a good quality jarred marinara works wonderfully if you don’t have pizza sauce on hand. Fresh basil or oregano can also replace parsley for a different aromatic touch.
Equipment
You won’t need many special tools for this easy recipe. Grab these essentials:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Small microwave-safe bowl
- Pastry brush
Instructions
Creating your festive pull apart Christmas tree bread is straightforward with these step-by-step instructions.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Heat your oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
- Prepare the Cheese: Take your mozzarella and Colby-Monterey Jack cheese sticks. Cut each cheese stick into four equal pieces, giving you a total of 32 small cheese pieces.
- Prepare the Biscuits: Open your can of large biscuits and separate the dough into 8 individual biscuits. Lay them flat on a clean surface. Cut each biscuit into four equal pieces. You’ll now have 32 biscuit pieces, matching your cheese count.
- Stuff the Dough Balls: Take one biscuit piece and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place one piece of cheese into the center of the flattened dough. Carefully pinch the seams of the dough together around the cheese to completely enclose it. Once sealed, gently roll the dough into a smooth ball. Repeat this process for all 32 biscuit pieces and cheese pieces.
The concept of “pull-apart” bread, such as the popular monkey bread, has been around for decades, originating in the United States. To learn more about the history of pull-apart bread, read this fascinating article from Tasting Table.
- Arrange the Tree: On your prepared baking sheet, arrange the stuffed biscuit balls to form a Christmas tree shape. Start with a single ball at the top for the tree’s point. Then, place two balls below it, followed by three, then four, and so on, creating wider rows as you move down. Aim for a symmetrical, festive look.
- Make Herb Butter: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning until well combined. This mixture adds incredible flavor.
- Brush & Bake: Using your pastry brush, generously brush the melted herb butter mixture over the entire surface of the arranged biscuit balls. Ensure every piece is coated for maximum flavor and a golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until the biscuits are beautifully golden brown and puffed up. For extra browning on top, you can turn your oven to broil for just a minute or so at the very end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish: Once out of the oven, immediately sprinkle the top of your warm pull apart Christmas tree bread with 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley and 3 tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve: While the bread is baking, warm the cup of pizza sauce in the microwave until heated through. Serve your cheesy pull apart Christmas tree bread immediately, with the warm pizza sauce alongside for dipping. Enjoy this delightful holiday appetizer!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Use Parchment for Easy Transfer: A parchment-lined baking sheet is crucial. It not only prevents sticking but also makes it effortless to slide the finished pull apart Christmas tree bread from the pan to a serving platter.
- Ensure Dough is Sealed Tightly: When stuffing the cheese, make sure to firmly pinch all seams closed. This prevents the melted cheese from oozing out during baking, keeping it deliciously contained within each dough ball.
- Achieve Golden Brown Crust: Keep an eye on your oven. If your bread isn’t browning enough, use the broiler for a minute or two. Stay right by the oven, as broilers can brown very quickly, preventing any accidental burning.
- Avoid Over-Baking: Over-baking can lead to dry, tough biscuits. Stick to the recommended time, checking for a golden color. The goal is a soft, fluffy interior with a slightly crisp exterior.
- Evenly Brush Butter Mixture: Don’t skimp on brushing! A thorough, even coat of the garlic herb butter ensures every piece of this festive bread absorbs those wonderful flavors and achieves a consistent golden hue.
Following proper food safety guidelines, especially when working with raw flour and dough, is essential for a safe baking experience. The CDC offers comprehensive advice on handling raw flour and dough safely.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
Serving Suggestions
This cheesy pull apart Christmas tree bread is a fantastic centerpiece for any holiday gathering. Serve it warm straight from the oven, accompanied by a bowl of heated pizza or marinara sauce for dipping. It’s an ideal appetizer for holiday parties, game nights, or even a fun family dinner. For extra flair, you could also offer other dipping sauces like creamy ranch, zesty pesto, or a spicy arrabbiata.
Storage & Reheating
If you happen to have any leftovers of this delicious bread, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, arrange the pieces on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. An air fryer also works great for quick reheating, keeping the exterior crisp. We do not recommend freezing this particular bread, as the texture of the biscuits and cheese may become undesirable after thawing. If you want to make ahead, you can assemble the dough balls 1-2 hours in advance and keep them covered in the fridge before baking.
Variations
Unleash your creativity with this versatile recipe!
- Sweet Version: Skip the garlic and Italian seasoning. Instead, brush with melted butter mixed with cinnamon sugar. After baking, drizzle with a simple cream cheese glaze for a delightful dessert or breakfast treat.
- Savory Additions: Elevate the savory profile by stuffing small pieces of mini pepperoni, finely diced jalapeños, or crumbled cooked bacon bits along with the cheese into the dough balls.
- Different Cheese: Experiment with various meltable cheeses! Cheddar, provolone, Gruyere, or a spicy pepper jack can offer unique flavor profiles to your festive tree.
- Alternative Shapes: While the Christmas tree is charming, you can also arrange the dough balls into a festive wreath, a star, or even spell out numbers for New Year’s Eve.
Nutrition
Enjoy this delicious pull apart Christmas tree bread knowing its approximate nutritional values.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 piece |
| Calories | 82 kcal |
| Carbohydrate Content | 8 g |
| Protein Content | 3 g |
| Fat Content | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat Content | 2 g |
| Cholesterol Content | 6 mg |
| Sodium Content | 242 mg |
| Fiber Content | 1 g |
| Sugar Content | 1 g |
| Potassium Content | 58 mg |
| Vitamin A Content | 80 IU |
| Vitamin C Content | 1 mg |
| Calcium Content | 19 mg |
| Iron Content | 1 mg |
FAQ
- Can I make this recipe without cheese? While the cheese is key to a traditional pull apart Christmas tree bread, you can certainly omit it. Stuff the dough balls with small pieces of cooked pepperoni or use them plain with the herb butter for a savory dinner roll.
- How do you store leftovers? Store any remaining pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.
- Can I make it ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the cheese-stuffed biscuit balls 1-2 hours in advance. Arrange them on the baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Conclusion
This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread is truly a holiday marvel, combining festive charm with irresistible flavors and minimal effort. It is the perfect recipe for busy parents and beginners, transforming everyday ingredients into something spectacular. Imagine the joy of your family and friends as they tear into this warm, cheesy, garlicky creation. Make this delicious and easy holiday appetizer a new tradition in your home; it is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Cut each of the 8 cheese sticks into four pieces, resulting in 32 total cheese pieces.
- Separate the biscuit dough into 8 biscuits, then cut each biscuit into quarters to make 32 pieces, and roll each piece into a ball.
- Insert a piece of cheese into a dough ball, ensuring to pinch the seams closed, and then re-roll it into a smooth ball.
- Arrange the prepared biscuit balls seam-side down on the baking sheet, carefully forming them into a Christmas tree shape.
- Melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in the garlic powder and Italian seasoning; brush this mixture evenly over the biscuit balls.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown, optionally broiling for a minute at the end to further brown the tops.
- Garnish the baked 'tree' by sprinkling fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Warm the pizza sauce in the microwave and serve it immediately as a dipping sauce with the Christmas tree pull-apart bread.
