Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas brings warmth and joy to any holiday gathering. This festive and irresistible cheesy pull apart Christmas bread is shaped like a Christmas tree, making it a delightful centerpiece. Each dough ball is filled with gooey mozzarella cheese and seasoned to perfection, creating a savory treat that melts in your mouth. Perfect for family gatherings, Christmas Eve parties, or cozy nights in, this dish is sure to be a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas
This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas recipe is not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. Here are a few reasons you’ll adore it:
- It’s fun and interactive—perfect for sharing.
- Quick and easy to prepare, taking just 40 minutes!
- Versatile—modify it with your favorite herbs or dipping sauces.
- Ideal for holiday parties and gatherings.
- Great as a cheesy pull apart appetizer or snack.
- Customizable with different cheese blends.
- Perfect for both kids and adults, making it a family favorite.
- It embodies the essence of festive flavors with garlic and herbs.
This recipe falls under the American cuisine category and is vegetarian-friendly, making it accessible for everyone.
Ingredients for Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas
Gather these items:
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough or biscuit dough (or homemade dough)
- 24–28 cubes of mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: marinara or pesto for dipping
- Alternative – Garlic Knot Christmas Tree: Dough strips tied into knots
- Pizza Tree Pull Apart Option: Add a teaspoon of pizza sauce inside each dough ball
- Mozzarella or mozzarella–cheddar blend
How to Make Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Unroll pizza dough and cut into 2×2 inch squares, or divide homemade dough into small portions.
- Step 2: Place a mozzarella cube in each dough square, fold, seal well, and roll into balls.
- Step 3: Arrange dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet to form a Christmas tree shape.
- Step 4: Mix melted butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. Brush generously over the dough.
- Step 5: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and the cheese melts inside.
- Step 6: Brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
- Step 7: Cut dough into strips.
- Step 8: Tie each strip into a knot.
- Step 9: Arrange knots in a tree shape.
- Step 10: Brush with garlic butter and bake.
- Step 11: Add pizza sauce inside dough balls.
- Step 12: Use mozzarella or a mozzarella–cheddar blend.
- Step 13: Serve with extra pizza sauce.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas
Keep these in mind:
- Make sure to seal the dough tightly around the cheese to prevent leaks.
- Brush the dough balls with garlic butter for extra flavor.
- Experiment with different cheeses, like cheddar or pepper jack, for a kick.
Best Ways to Serve Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas
This dish is perfect for:
- Serving as a cheesy pull apart appetizer at holiday gatherings.
- Pairing with marinara or pesto for dipping.
- Using as a fun side dish alongside your holiday meal.
How to Store and Reheat Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge. They can be reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This method keeps the bread crispy and warm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas
What’s the secret to perfect Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas?
The secret lies in ensuring the dough is well-sealed around the cheese to keep it from leaking out during baking. Additionally, the combination of garlic butter and Italian seasoning elevates the flavor to a festive level.
Can I make Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough balls and arrange them on the baking sheet ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate them, then bake when ready to serve.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas?
To avoid mistakes, ensure you don’t overfill the dough balls with cheese, as they might burst during baking. Also, keep an eye on the baking time to prevent over-browning.
Variations of Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas You Can Try
Here are some delightful variations:
- Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart: Add garlic powder to the dough for extra flavor.
- Cheesy Herb Pull Apart Bread: Incorporate rosemary or thyme into the filling.
- Pizza Tree Pull Apart: Include a teaspoon of pizza sauce within each dough ball.
- Cheesy Pull Apart Rolls: Form dough into rolls instead of balls for a different presentation.
Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try these variations, your Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas will surely impress everyone at your holiday gathering!
Festive Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive & Irresistible Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread is a warm, gooey, golden, Christmas tree–shaped appetizer that instantly brightens any holiday table.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough or biscuit dough (or homemade dough)
- 24–28 cubes of mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: marinara or pesto for dipping
- Alternative – Garlic Knot Christmas Tree: Dough strips tied into knots
- Pizza Tree Pull Apart Option: Add a teaspoon of pizza sauce inside each dough ball
- Mozzarella or mozzarella–cheddar blend
Instructions
- Unroll pizza dough and cut into 2×2 inch squares, or divide homemade dough into small portions.
- Place a mozzarella cube in each dough square, fold, seal well, and roll into balls.
- Arrange dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet to form a Christmas tree shape.
- Mix melted butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. Brush generously over the dough.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and the cheese melts inside.
- Brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
- Cut dough into strips.
- Tie each strip into a knot.
- Arrange knots in a tree shape.
- Brush with garlic butter and bake.
- Add pizza sauce inside dough balls.
- Use mozzarella or a mozzarella–cheddar blend.
- Serve with extra pizza sauce.
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Leave a Reply