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Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 116 reviews

This Easy Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with soft refrigerated pizza dough stuffed with a creamy blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, and Italian seasonings, these bite-sized dough balls are arranged in a Christmas tree shape, brushed with egg wash, and baked to golden perfection. Serve warm with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping and enjoy a deliciously cheesy treat that’s as visually appealing as it is tasty.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough (or crescent dough sheet)

Cheese Filling

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Finishing

  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Fresh chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
  • Grated parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Marinara or pizza sauce (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  3. Prepare Dough Squares: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a clean surface. Cut the dough into 32 equal-sized squares to create individual pockets for the cheese filling.
  4. Fill Dough Squares: Place about 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture into the center of each dough square, ensuring not to overfill to prevent leakage.
  5. Form Dough Balls: Fold each dough square around the cheese filling, pinch the edges tightly to seal, and shape into a smooth ball to enclose the filling completely.
  6. Arrange as Christmas Tree: Place all the dough balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, arranging them carefully in the shape of a Christmas tree for a festive presentation.
  7. Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the tops of the dough balls with the beaten egg to achieve a golden, glossy finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until the bread is puffed and golden brown on top.
  8. Garnish: Once baked, optionally sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese over the tree to enhance flavor and visual appeal.
  9. Serve: Serve warm with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping to enjoy the gooey cheese and herb-infused bread experience.

Notes

  • You can substitute crescent dough sheet if pizza dough is unavailable.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is softened to easily mix with mozzarella and seasonings.
  • Pinch dough edges tightly to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese filling.
  • Serve immediately for best taste; leftovers can be reheated in the oven to maintain texture.

Keywords: cheesy bread, Christmas appetizer, holiday recipe, pizza dough, stuffed bread, festive snacks

Find it online: https://jedentaglecker.com/cheesy-christmas-tree-bread-recipe/