The ideal Christmas dinner appetiser is this pull- apart bread! Arranged in a beautiful Christmas tree form and coated with a mouthwatering garlic butter topping, soft, fluffy rolls stuffed with gooey cheese are This pull-apart bread will be a popular favorite whether your celebration is a Christmas party or a little family get-together.
Made easily, it’s entertaining to put together and go great with marinara sauce for dipping. Moreover, a meal that appears as festive as it tastes is a terrific approach to enter the holiday mood. To produce a magnificent, cheesy masterpiece, follow this easy formula!
Ingredients:
For the Dough (or Use Store-Bought Pizza Dough)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
For the Filling
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
For the Garlic Butter Topping
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
For Garnishing
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing basin, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir just lightly; let the mixture sit for around five minutes until it starts to froth. This stage guarantees the activation of the yeast, therefore enabling the correct rise of the dough.
To the bowl now add the flour, salt, and olive oil. Till a dough results, mix everything till then. Spoon the dough onto a surface dusted with flour, then knead it for five to seven minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. After greasing a bowl, cover the dough with a fresh kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm environment for around one hour, or until it doubles in size.
(If you’re using store-bought pizza dough, skip this step and go straight to the next.)
Step 2: Shape the Christmas Tree
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) then line a parchment paper baking sheet. This will simplify cleaning and help the dough not stick.
Punch the rising dough down to remove extra air. On a surface dusted with flour, roll it out and cut it into little, equal-sized bits. Flatten every slice then center a tiny bit of shredded mozzarella cheese. Forming a nice dough ball, gently squeeze the corners together to enclose the cheese within.
Form the filled dough balls into a Christmas tree on the ready baking sheet. Start with one ball at the top then add more balls in rows, rising in count to create a triangle. To mimic the tree trunk, set another ball at the bottom. The dough balls will expand during baking, hence allow a little space between them.
Step 3: Bake & Add Garlic Butter
Combine in a small bowl the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasonings, and salt. Drizzle the dough balls’ tops liberally with this garlic butter mixture using a pastry brush. As they bake, this will provide an absolutely rich and fragrant taste.
The bread should turn golden brown and somewhat crunchy on top after 18 to 22 minutes of baking in the preheated oven. Watch it to make sure it browns evenly.
After baking, take the pull-apart bread out of the oven and right away top with grated parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for an added taste explosion and festive appeal.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
Allow the Christmas Tree Pull- Apart. Bread cool for a few minutes before serving. This lets the cheese firm somewhat, which facilitates pulling apart. Present it together with warm marinara sauce for dipping for the ideal finishing touch.
Your holiday celebrations will be much enhanced by this wonderful, cheesy, and garlicky bread. Not only tastes great, but its lovely look makes it a cheerful focal point for any Christmas gathering. This simple and great dish will help you to enjoy the holidays! 😄✨
